Terry Lee Teets

Mr. Terry Lee Teets, age 85 of Collegedale, Tennessee departed this life Wednesday, December 30, 2025 at his home. He was born July 5, 1940 in Zanesfield, Ohio a son of the late Vance and Dorthy Fullerton Teets. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Sandra Whitener Teets of the residence; son, Phillip Carmical of Austin, TX; daughter and son-in-law, Sonya and Scott Smith of Woodbridge, VA; grandchildren, Margaret and Dashiell Carmical.

He attended Zanefield-Monroe School, graduated in 1958 as Salutatorian. He graduated Ohio State University in 1963. He joined the United States Air Force and received his commission as second Lieutenant and was assigned to flying school at Reese A.F.B. Upon being awarded his wings he completed training in the KC-135 tanker and was assigned to Ellsworth A.F.B. in South Dakota. Serving as a tanker pilot in the South East Asia theatre through 1969. Upon leaving the Air Force, became a pilot for North Central Airlines, which became Republic Airlines and was purchased by Northwest Airlines. He retired from Northwest Airlines in 2000 after 30 years. He retired as captain flying the DC-10 out of Honolulu internationally. He was an amateur astronomer for many years and after retiring from the airlines he worked as a docent at the observatory complex on Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii. He married Sandra Whitener Carmical on Valentine's Day 1985. Was quoted as saying, "As well as acquiring a wonderful wife, I got two great children; Phillip and Sonya." In 2001 he and Sandra moved from Hawaii to the Chattanooga, TN area where he retired to his love of woodworking an specialized in designing and making furniture.

At his request no services will be held at this time.

Arrangements are entrusted to Ponders Melrose Chapel, 138 Melrose Drive, Dalton, GA, 30721. For more information, please visit www.selectedindependentfuneralhomes.org.