Robert Teasley

Robert N. “Bob” Teasley, July 17, 1946-June 4, 2024. Bob was born in Lexington, Kentucky to Wilbur N. and Carol Zehner Teasley. He graduated from St. Petersburg High School in 1964 where he played the trombone in the pep band. During high school and later junior college, Bob worked at Publix as a stockboy/bagboy and St. Pete/Clearwater Airport as a lineman. These jobs helped to fund his flying lessons to obtain his private pilot’s license. He was enrolled at St. Petersburg Junior College until he received his “Greetings” letter from Uncle Sam. He enlisted in the US Army where he eventually received additional training in flight school for helicopter pilots. He spent 4 years in the Army with a year in Vietnam flying Huey helicopters. After returning from Vietnam he spent 1 year stationed at Hunter Army Airfield near Savannah, Georgia as a Chief Warrant Officer Huey instructor pilot. During this time he married Joy Daughtrey, his high school sweetheart at St. Pete Beach Baptist Church on July 5, 1969. They lived in Savannah for 9 months before returning to Pinellas County, which was home for both of them. He returned to St. Petersburg Junior College. Again his education was interrupted by a job offer from Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO). He was hired by the Sheriff’s Office as their first full time helicopter pilot, flying nights 8pm-4 am. While working for PCSO he also transitioned to more fixed wing flying in order to transport prisoners. Bob worked for the Sheriff’s Office for 12 years. He left PCSO to fly night freight in larger aircraft out of Minneapolis, MN, then eventually he flew for a commuter airline out of Stevens Point, WI. In 1986 Bob reached his goal of becoming an American Airlines Pilot. He retired 20 years later as a Captain on the Boeing 757 and 767. All throughout their marriage, Bob and Joy were very close to Joy’s sister’s family, the Donovans. Shirley and George Donovan were gracious to “share” their 3 daughters. Bob and Joy delighted in watching Robin, Cathy and Christy grow up. Bob engaged the girls with their toys when they were young. Bob and Joy joined the Donovans on family outings and get togethers such as Rowdies soccer games, football games, band concerts, snow skiing, track and field events, baton twirling competitions, and even sleep overs. Bob especially loved the family picnics on Friday evenings at Lake Seminole I’m and Walsingham Parks. Later in life Bob was able to enjoy the nieces’ children in their sporting events, plays and choir/band/orchestra concerts. Near the end of his life, Bob especially enjoyed watching Kyle play baseball! Bob died peacefully at Suncoast Hospice in Pinellas Park after an extended illness complicated by agent orange exposure in Vietnam. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Joy; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Shirley and George Donovan; his 2 nieces Dr. Robin (Dr. Dave) Councilman, Christy, Esq. (Dennis, Esq.) Pemberton; 4 great nieces Joy (Benedict), Dana, Kelsey (Sam), and Amelia; 4 great nephews Aaron, Shan, Kyle and Aiden; and his beloved dog Mistie. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws Mattie and Russell Daughtrey, and his beloved niece Dr. Cathy A. Donovan. Joy would like to say special “thank you”s: To Mrs. Lucia Beck for taking such good care of Bob and Joy for the last 3 years-she is truly a gift from God. To Kirk and Luane Mason for watching over Joy in Bob’s absence. To Dave Fisher and Lily for faithful Sunday visits with Bob and taking him to monthly FOP meetings. To all the wonderful people at Arden Courts who made his stay more pleasant. Funeral services to be held on June 26,2024 at Veterans Funeral Care. Visitation will be held at 10 AM, funeral services at 11 AM, Burial 2:30 at Bay Pines VA National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to: Pinellas County Sheriff’s “Ride or Run with the Stars;” NubAbility in Duquion, IL; Suncoast Hospice, Pinellas Park, FL.