Former Alabama State Senator John Allison Teague passed away Sunday following a long battle with cancer. The former Alabama Senate President Pro Tempore was 78 years old.
Just days earlier, the Alabama Senate passed a resolution honoring Teague for his many career accomplishments. Teague represented the Senate and the State Alabama House of Representatives in his long, distinguished career.
Senate Joint Resolution 64 (SJR64) was sponsored by all 35 members of the Alabama Senate.
The Resolution was passed by the Alabama Senate on May 9 and passed by the Alabama House of Representatives on May 11.
The Resolution reads, “HONORING MR. JOHN ALLISON TEAGUE, SR. FOR PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS. WHEREAS, with very special pleasure, we highly honor Mr. John Allison Teague, Sr. for his numerous professional achievements; and WHEREAS, Mr. Teague was born on July 9, 1944, in Childersburg, Alabama, to Mayburn and Ralph Teague; he is the father of Allison, Todd, and John; the husband of Tami Teague; and the brother of Ralph Judson Jr. and Ashley Teague.”
“Mr. Teague graduated from Childersburg High School in 1962, attended Jacksonville State University from 1962-1963, and attended the United States Fidelity and Guaranty School of Insurance in 1976.”
“Mr. Teague served as a member of the Alabama House of Representatives, representing District 55: Talladega, Childersburg, and Calhoun Counties from 1974-1976; he was elected through a special election to the Alabama Senate in 1976, where he was reelected for two full terms; he was elected as President Pro-Tempore of the Senate by his peers in 1983; as President Pro-Tempore, he was given a vote on every standing committee for the first time in Alabama history; he was elected as the Most Outstanding Senator by his peers in 1984 and 1986; served the State of Alabama Senate District 19: Talladega, St. Clair, and Calhoun Counties from 1976-1982; and served the State of Alabama Senate District 19: Talladega, Cleburne, Clay, Coosa, and Elmore Counties from 1982-1986.”
“Mr. Teague has been the recipient of many profound awards and forms of recognition, including being a charter member of the Board of Trustees for the Alabama Motorsports Hall of Fame from 1975-1987; being a member of the Board of Trustees for Troy State University from 1980-1992, where he served on the Executive Committee and the Athletic Committee; being recognized on the cover of Alabama Magazine as The Most Effective Legislator in 1984; receiving the Lyndon Baines Johnson Political Freedom Award by the Alabama Democratic Conference in 1984; being granted a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Talladega College in 1984; receiving The University of Montevallo Area Public Official of the Year Award in 1985; being named Alabama Wildlife Federation’s Conservationist of the Year in 1986; and being the only person in the nation to receive the prestigious CIT Rebuilding America Award in 1988; in addition, Central Alabama Community College named its first ever scholarship award, The John Teague Scholarship Award, in 1984; the bridge over the Coosa River in Childersburg was named the John A. Teague Bridge in 1987; and the Alabama Legislature and Board of Trustees for the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind named the student center on the school’s campus the John A. Teague Student Center in 1989.”
“A man of unwavering selflessness WHEREAS, a man of unwavering selflessness and diligence who is passionate about serving others, Mr. Teague has inspired many throughout his lifetime as a remarkable leader; now therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That Mr. John Allison Teague, Sr. is highly honored for his numerous professional achievements, and we hereby dedicate this resolution to him with warmest appreciation, admiration, and regard.”
Teague lost the Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor to Jim Folsom Jr. in 1986 – otherwise, Teague would almost certainly have been governor – Folsom was later elevated to the role when then-Gov. Guy Hunt was convicted of misusing inauguration funds.
Teague was the President of Government Affairs Strategies, LLC for decades. In that capacity, he was a fixture in the Alabama Statehouse up until 2022. There Teague was a friend to legislators, his fellow lobbyists, industry leaders, government officials, staff, and journalists alike.
Teague served a six-month federal prison sentence that was the result of an investigation of state transportation grants. Teague was granted a full pardon by the Alabama Board of Pardons and Parole less than two years later.
Former State Auditor Jim Zeigler said on Facebook, “Sad that long-time lobbyist and former State Senator John Teague has died on Mother’s Day. He fought gallantly against serious injury and illness. Prayers for Tami and his family.”
Longtime friend and lobbyist former Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Commissioner Ron Sparks said on Facebook, “I lost an amazing friend today. In the past 20 years there were not many days I was not with Teague or not talk to him. Teague and I traveled the world together and he was one of the smartest and wisest men I have ever known. My life changed forever today.”
Teague’s son said on Facebook, “Memorial service for my dad will be held this next Wednesday, May 24th, at First Baptist Church in downtown Montgomery with visitation from 3-4 and service at 4.”
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