August – Sept. Crossville Life
My earliest memories about sports has the name and face of John Teeples in a prominent place. He was the head football coach at my alma mater, Celina High School, from before I can remember. I was blessed to have him as my coach, as well as mentor. He lived a wonderful life.
He died in June at the age of 86, bringing to an end a career that spanned his entire life. Even though he quit coaching over 30 years ago, he never quit encouraging people, young and old, to do their best. To me, he was a coach right up to the end.
He was one of the “Greatest Generation.” He served in the Navy in WWII. His career as an educator and coach began after graduating Tennessee Tech University with a degree in Biology. I loved being in his classes. He taught like he coached. He used “tough love” in everything. He demanded your best effort and we gave it at his command. I don’t know of a soul who “played” for him who would not run through a brick wall at his suggestion.
Due to his coaching style, he was ultra successful. He would beat your brains out and make you like it. He had the respect of every opposing coach he ever faced, most of which often “whipping boys” for his superior teams.
He coached football, boys and girls basketball without an assistant and without a coaching supplement. He knew how to develop players and he was a great game-day coach. It was his game and he was in total control. In addition to being a legendary high school coach, he started little league baseball in his hometown and later coached and sponsored there.
Add to that, an active church life, a second career as an agent with State Farm Insurance, Lions Club and American Legion. He always had the energy needed to do it all. There are many things I could say about him. My father died when I was but 16 years old and Coach Teeples lived just two houses away. I rode to and from games with him and later, as an adult, watched his beloved St. Louis Cardinals with him. He was there for me on numerous occasions.
I have heard my cousin Karl Napier say, that he was a Cardinal fan way back, for no other reason than they were Coach’s team. That was the kind of influence he had on people. I played football and basketball for him. He could make you nervous for sure, but he could also get a level of play out of you that you didn’t know you had.
All this I am writing about him is being read by people who never knew him. He was not from Crossville and we did not play Crossville. Most of my readers are not natives of Tennessee, but I know you will appreciate the kind of man Coach Teeples was. Perhaps this story will make you think of your old high school coach.
Right up to the moment I walked down the aisle helping to carry his casket as a pall bearer, I thought of how I would miss him. He has been a constant in my life since I was a little boy.
I will miss shaking Mr. Teeples’ hand and seeing that optimistic smile and hearing him say, “How you doing, Don?” and knowing he meant it. But most of all, I’ll miss the stories — he could take you back 50 years in an instant with a story about “Punkin” Smith or Charles Vaughn or Earl Davis.
For years we have all used Coach Teeples as our “source” when we wanted to know something about the old days. He was a walking dictionary of Clay County sports. Folks, that is lost forever. He was also a lifetime fan and supporter himself. That is something we sometimes forget about. He will be missed.
Kevin Donaldson, my longtime editor when I owned the newspaper in Celina many years ago, may have said it best. “We don’t have any more like him coming along, and may never again – a man who contributed in SO MANY DIFFERENT AVENUES in life. I know several folks who contribute greatly in one or two fields, but his body of work is almost unbelievable when you stop and take it all in: educator and coach, military service, successful businessman, civic leader in multiple fields, elected official, and just an overall fine man. He served his community, school and nation almost as long as many people live. My only regret in knowing him is that I did not know him better.”
Note – He is survived by son Patrick Teeples, an assistant principal at Stone Memorial High School in Crossville.
Ken Burnett passes away
A long-time acquaintance of mine who became a good friend over the years, Ken Burnett, died recently after a long illness. He was a regular at Mitchell’s Drug Store’s roundtable until his health got to the point that he was no longer able to make the trip in to town. We miss him.
Born during the Great Depression in 1927 to a farmer and a housewife, Ken spent his early childhood living in an era of hard times and he was quick to tell you about it.
“We were poor, but I didn’t know it at the time because everyone else was, too,” he said. “I delivered papers, sold rosebud salve, anything to make just a nickel.”
After graduating from Cumberland County High School in 1945, Burnett immediately entered the Navy. Before his military duty would end, he served in China at the end of World War II and in the Korean War, reporting for active duty in 1951.
In 1959, Burnett became a licensed pilot and began flying his own plane to many of the places he visited for work. This was a dream come true, Burnett stated.
“I’ve always enjoyed flying,” he said. “I can remember when I was little and I would have an opportunity to go to the airport out here, I would go every opportunity just to be near a plane, just to touch one. The magic of flying was very great to me.”
Ken was active right up until the end, always finding time to give for the things that were important to him. He became involved with Highland Federal Savings and Loan serving on its board of directors for more than 25 years. He served on the board of directors at Cumberland Medical Center, represented the Crossville Airport Committee as chairman for which he received a Distinguished Service Award from the city and work with the Crossville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce.
In a story about Ken that appeared in The Crossville Chronicle before his death, Ken said, “It’s been a privilege to serve on a board with fine people such as at Highland Federal and the hospital,” Burnett stated. “It has been a very satisfying experience.”
Ken was known at Mitchells as the “resident Republican.” There was nothing I loved better than to listen to him and chief Democrat Tom Looney tear into an issue. Ken could hold his own. He is missed.
Britain Swim Champ, Emma Cain is grandaughter of Crossville couple
Emma Cain, granddaughter to Fairfield Glade residents Betty and Marv Mrnka, was recently named the ‘National Swim Champion in Great Britain, winning the over-all ” Bagcat” award for her age group.
She won four gold medals (100 meter breast stroke, 200 meter breast stroke, 200 meter individual medley, and 400 meter individual relay).She set two National and three Southeast Regional records in Great Britain.
Each year the British Gas Company gives the BAGCAT award to the overall swimming champion for the five day competition. Because of her many swimming awards Emma was chosen to participate in the ” British Olympic Trials 2012”. She was the youngest swimmer to swim in the trials.
Emma’s strongest event is the Breast Stroke and her coaches feel she has a bright future and potential for the 2016 Olympics. Emma and her parents, Suzanne Mrnka Cain and Steve Cain live in Chiddingfold ,England.
Local artist turns plastic and paper into one-of-a-kind woven “art”
Cuban artist Louis Rives and his wife Maria dropped by the Crossville Life office a few weeks ago, to show off his woven rug/wall hanging that he created, using over 43,000 pieces of plastic grocery bags, florist tape, masking paper. While I struggle to give it a name, Louis calls it a sign and it took him six months to complete.
Louis says he has made several “signs” since moving to Crossville 14 years ago from Cleveland, Ohio. This new sign, he says, is his largest. The message is filled with chosen bible verses and other religious icons.
He uses the same weaving technique to make other items, including a small basket that we bought from him for $10. It is an art he learned from his father when he was 13 years old and he will make custom signs if you would like to hire him to do so. This particular one (in the photo) is not for sale. He said that it would take six months to build one like it.
Starting in 2001, he made one of his “signs” from nearly 6,000 packs of cigerettes. He sold it. If you are interested in Louis making you one of his “signs”, call him at 210-0368 or 216-785-6631.
