Byrum W. Teekell

Byrum Webster Teekell was born on March 22, 1929, to Mr. and Mrs. Walker Webster Teekell in Shreveport, LA. After a life well lived, Mr. Teekell, a lifelong Shreveport resident, died on May 4, 2023, at age 94. He loved life, his family, people, his God and adventures of all sorts.
As a youth he attended Shreveport schools where many of his lifelong friendships were made from Creswell Elementary to C. E. Byrd High School and Centenary College of Louisiana. He completed his formal education with a degree of Bachelor of Arts from Louisiana State University in 1950 and a Juris Doctor from the LSU Law Center in 1951.
Teekell married Jan Gray of Minden in 1950 and returned to Shreveport to practice law. Soon after he entered the life insurance business with his father and Lincoln National Life. He earned many designations and awards in that industry throughout his 60-year career:
Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Chartered Financial Consultant (CFC), a graduate of Purdue University Pension School and the Life Insurance Agency Management School.
He was a 52-year Qualifier and Life Member of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), a charter member of the Top of the Table and the Five Million Dollar Forum. Serving his industry, Teekell was Associate Vice President and Director of the Association for Advanced Life Underwriters (AALU), President of the Shreveport and Louisiana ALU, a director of the School of Life Insurance Marketing at LSU and a Distinguished Faculty Associate of that school. His expertise in his field made him a sought-after speaker for many insurance professional groups across North America from Baltimore to Puget Sound to Canada.
A former Man of the Year for the Louisiana ALU, Teekell was also a member of the Society of Financial Service Professionals and M Financial Group. He founded and was chairman of The Teekell Company, Inc. He was also active in other business pursuits – oil and gas exploration, Miami International Holdings, banking and media. He additionally served his community as President of Holiday In Dixie, on the Board of the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce, and President of the Shreveport-Bossier LSU Foundation.
A proud Kappa Sigma and a 32° Mason and Shriner, Teekell was honored to be inducted into the C.E. Byrd Alumni Hall of Fame and the LSU Alumni Hall of Distinction.
Throughout his life Byrum, B.W. or Teek, as he was known to many, made friends across the globe with whom he shared his interest and passion for aviation, golf, skiing, hunting and fishing. He lived out his faith in support of First United Methodist Church on the Finance Committee, Administrative Board, Alternate View Network and the D.L. Dykes Foundation. He was a member of the Louisiana Methodist Foundation and was particularly dedicated to the Louisiana Methodist Children's Home serving as Chairman of the Board, Life Board Member and on the Executive and Finance Committees.
His aviation interests were far reaching. He became an active private pilot in 1959, held single, multi engine and instrument ratings while amassing more than 5,000 hours. He loved to fly for business, LSU football, hunting trips and fun. In 1993, after several years of planning, he and a partner flew his Cessna 414A, modified for trans-ocean flights, (with space for golf clubs) around the world. The travel log began in Shreveport and led to the U.S. and Canada east coasts, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific islands. His written and pictorial account of the journey included experiences, sights, food and golf courses across the world.
B. W. Teekell was predeceased by his parents, brother Don W. Teekell, son Scott A. Teekell and his life's greatest love - wife, Jan Gray Teekell.
He is survived by his sons J. Gray Teekell (Mary) of Shreveport, Andrew W. Teekell (Catherine) of Missouri City, TX, daughter-in-law Pat R. Teekell and son C. Hassell Teekell (Suzy) of Shreveport. He will be greatly missed by his grand- and great-grandchildren: Dr. Anna Teekell (Shannon Hays) and Walker and Everett Hays, Newport News, VA; Laura Gray McCann (John) and Gladney Gray McCann, Memphis, TN; Lt. Col. Andrew S. Teekell (Teresa) and Juliette and Pierce B. W., Austin, TX; Christine Thibodeaux (Derrick) and Milan and Reign Thibodeaux, Pearland, TX; B. Walker Teekell, Denver CO; A. Spencer Teekell and Kaedyn, Shreveport; Dylan Teekell and Chayson, Shreveport; Chelsea Payne (Jason) and Grayson and Addison Payne, Baton Rouge, LA; B. W. is also survived by his sister-in-law Kaz M. Teekell and nieces and nephews Kerry, Donna, Diane and Ronald of Anchorage, AK.
The Rev. Carl Rhoads will conduct a memorial service celebrating the life of B. W. Teekell at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at First United Methodist Church in Shreveport. Honorary pallbearers will be his godson Byrum Craig Webb, Jerry R. Webb, Steve Parker, Donna Howell and his grandchildren.
The Teekell family is greatly appreciative for the care given to B. W. by Dr. David Abdehou, Dr. Rick Michael and the staff of Montclair Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Louisiana Methodist Children's Home, 904 DeVille Lane, Ruston, LA 71270, or to other charities of the donor's choice.
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