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At the age of 82, Wesley Teal went to heaven. He was preceded in death by his only son, Lesley Teal, parents Tommie and Myrtle Teal, brothers Tommie, Claude, and Samuel Teal, Carl Murray, and sisters Linda Teal and Rachel Murray McCrickard. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Rebecca, his four-legged children Levi, Abel, Iris, and Sean Teal, sister Brenda Langley and many nieces, nephews, grand nieces, and grand nephews.
At the age of fourteen, Wesley started working as an apprentice farrier. He worked himself up to a renowned and much sought-after farrier. Many apprenticed under him and learned the trade from the best. Eric Gray, a one-time intern, was instrumental in getting Wesley acknowledged as a certified master farrier. Wesley always valued education and this acknowledgment, in his mind, validated his learning from experience and his life’s work. He could improve any horse by watching it work. With his skill, he helped many horses win multiple world and world grand championships in different disciplines. He made the most beautiful knives, buckles, or anything else that could be forged. If you could draw a picture of it, he could make it!
In 1977, Wesley started training racking horses in addition to shoeing them. He was widely known as a trainer who could figure a horse out and get it’s best. His nickname was Dr. T because of his skill as a trainer and farrier. He was once given a starving yearling and named him Hard Times. He developed him into a world champion racking horse who showed under the registered name of Dr. T. He also was a wizard with flat-shod horses, way before their time. In the Breeder’s Racking Horse Association, he won numerous state and world championships. In 1994, he won the National Racking Horse World Grand Championship.
In 1991, on a trip to Las Vegas, Wesley discovered he loved gambling. He once won TWO jackpots in less than 30 minutes! He was so excited he jumped up and did a little dance. He turned countless lottery tickets into profits. He was a fan of PBR bull riding and attended several bull riding world championships.
In 2004, Wesley was injured shoeing a horse. This led to his forced premature retirement from shoeing and training. This was actually a blessing in disguise as the accident uncovered an untreated health problem. With this problem treated, he was able to live and enjoy another 20 years.
He was good, happy, gentle, kind, handsome, and a great man who loved his family, animals, and friends. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him, most of all his wife. We are all better because he was part of our lives.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, February 2nd at Hightower Baptist Church, 3444 Hightower Road, Ball Ground, GA 30107. Visitation will be from 11:30 AM – 1 PM, memorial service to start at 1 PM.
Bobby Fowler says
Wesley was absolutely the best friend I ever had beside my wife Janie. We had a lot of good times together. I have little doubt that our Heavenly Father is giving Wesley time to ride like wild fire.
CINDY BROWN says
Loved the Gentleman And cherish my relationship with the Teal family
Dr Cindy Brown
Karen Oertley-Pihera says
Oh Becky I am so very sorry. Kurt always enjoyed talking to him out on Lovelady road.
Please let me know if I can help you in any way ever.
Pam moss says
Rebecca, Rodney and I are thinking of you, God be with you and give you strength. Pam and Rodney Moss at Moss Lake Farm
Elaine Teal says
I remember the hand made shoes he made on his coal forge and the corrective shoeing he did. Very talented and gifted. I would call him sometime and we would talk horse. I will miss that.
Liz LaRoy says
I had the honor of working for him in his barn, after working a full time job! Would not have missed the experience for anything. The things I learned from Wesley about racking horse are still with me today!!
Loved this man like a father! I can still hear him yelling at me from the rail as I worked my horses under his supervision!
Ride high my friend there will never be anyone like you. Becky so sorry for your loss!!
Lynne and Wally Harper Bluebird Farms says
Wesley was my mentor and my friend. I remember asking my cousin one day at a show- who is that man with those well-behaved stallions. He said- well, that is Wesley Teal. I told my cousin I wanted to meet him. I walked over to Wesley, stuck my hand out and said, hello, I am Lynne Harper and I wanted to meet you. He looked at me like I had 3 heads, then cracked a smile and introduced himself. We were good friends from that day forward. He helped me improve my riding skills. He taught me to have light hands and a balanced seat. He taught me to cart horses and to start young horses. He was a gentleman, great horseman and great farrier. He knew how to work with many different breeds. Wesley, we thank you for sharing your knowledge and your friendship with us. Becky, our thoughts, prayers and hearts are with you.
Bob and Elyse Donati says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Rebecca. We never had a chance to meet Wesley, but after reading this tribute, it feels like we know him and know why you loved him. Rest in Peace, Wesley.
The Foskey Family says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
Thurmon, Troy, Earl and Hazel
Debbie Holbrook says
Becky .
Jack and I are so sorry to hear a about Wesley. He was such a nice person. He helped Jack so much with learning how to ride a racking horse. We truly valued his friendship and the friendship with have with you.
Our prayers are with you,
Jack and Debbie Holbrook
Anne Fulcher says
There was only one Wesley Teal
Wesley taught me and my then husband so much about the industry. I can close my eyes and hear that laugh. Wesley was one of a kind and will be greatly missed.
Cassandra Lopez (Cass) says
To Dr. Rebecca Teal, and other family members.
My name is Cassandra Lopez, formally Cassandra Decker of Dunwoody Georgia. I was the girlfriend of Lesley at the time of his death in 1995. I have thought about, and prayed for all of you for many years. Both Wesley and Lesley were gifted in their careers… And possessed a very unique relationship with horses. I am sending my deepest condolences. I moved to Florida with my horse, Shaddar, an Arabian beauty that Les helped me break and train. My horse sadly passed away last week at 35 years of age. Many great memories… Both Les and his father Wes will be forever missed! Both were wonderful to me and my horse. 🐴🕊️