Kneelon Edward Teague

Kneelon E. Teague, 90, of Great Falls, and formerly of Shelby, entered the Lord’s Kingdom on July 13, 2023.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 28, 2023, at Faith Lutheran Church. Burial of ashes will be at 2:00 p.m. also on Friday, July 28, at Mountain View Cemetery in Shelby.

Kneelon was born May 4, 1933, in Hot Springs, Arkansas to Hazel and Jewell Teague. He attended schools in Smackover and Eldorado, Arkansas. In high school, he was an exceptional student, played football, was the school treasurer, and a member of the band and choir. He graduated from Eldorado High School in 1951 with an ROTC scholarship; one of only 4 that were given by the State of Arkansas. As the only member of his family to go to college, he attended the University of Oklahoma and was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity. He studied Animal Science wanting to become a veterinarian and work with his uncle who trained thoroughbred racehorses in Hot Springs, AK. Re-thinking his major, he graduated in 1955 with a degree in Petroleum Geology. To this day, he has life-long friends from his college years.

His Navy service after graduation would take him to many European countries. After his service, Kneelon was hired by Phillips Petroleum in Bartlesville, OK. He worked in the oil fields of North Dakota before he was hired by Cardinal Petroleum out of Billings, MT. This is where he met his first wife, Elizabeth “Betty” Procive. They married in 1962, eventually settling in Shelby in 1968, and building their company, Teague Geological, Inc. Their three children, Melissa, John, and James were born and raised during this time. Kneelon discovered and worked many oil/gas fields all over the Northern Montana high line with some of the best oilmen that Montana has ever seen. Kneelon’s office doors on Main Street were always open to anyone to come in and visit, or as he would say “shoot the bull.” Kneelon spent more than 38 years in Shelby. He and Betty were married for 35 years at the time of her passing in 1997.

Kneelon was lucky enough to find love again, and eventually married Carol Entner in 2000. Kneelon welcomed Carol's three kids and grandkids as his own. Upon Kneelon’s retirement in 2008, he and Carol moved to Great Falls where he would live out the remainder of his life. Throughout his life, Kneelon was an active member of the Jaycees, Kiwanis Club, Shriners, and was a Freemason. He was a member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church while in Shelby and Faith Lutheran Church in Great Falls. His faith meant a lot to him. He was actively involved in the church’s Men Of Faith group. He enjoyed fishing, horseraces, Sooner football games, traveling and visiting all the children who are spread throughout the country. He enjoyed watching the grandkids’ activities which also included sports. Many hours were spent sitting on the sidelines or bleachers at these games whether it was sunny, rainy, or snowing! A lot of mornings were spent having coffee with friends. Carol passed away in 2018. Kneelon was a great optimist. He loved people, he found the good in everyone, had a compassionate heart, and was a faithful servant of God.

Kneelon was preceded in death by his parents; both wives; and sister, Opal Faye Holmes. He is survived by his 3 children, Melissa (Jay) Wagner, John Teague, and James Teague; three stepchildren, Travis Entner, Kevin (Bea) Entner, and Lisa (Tony) Hering; grandchildren, Cameron Hering, Tyler Entner, Sam Teague, Joseph, and only granddaughter, Alexis Entner; sister, Patsy Tatum of Marshall, TX; and many nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind numerous friends throughout many communities.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Kneelon’s memory are suggested to Benefis Sletten Cancer Institute, Faith Lutheran Church, or Great Falls Toys for Tots.