A. L. "Archie" Tehan. Jr.'s Obituary
A Memorial Service will be held for A.L. “Archie” Tehan, Jr, 93, of Longview, Texas, on Thursday, October 25, 2018 at 2 PM at Oakland Heights Baptist Church in Longview. Reverend Michael Cook will be officiating. Burial will follow at Lakeview Memorial Gardens. Visitation with the family will be on Wednesday, October 24th from 5 – 7 pm at Rader Funeral Home.
Archie went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, October 22, 2018. He was born on November 30, 1924 in Wrightstown, NJ. He was the oldest son of A.L. and Minnie Tehan. He served his country during World War II in the US Navy as an Aviation Machinist’s Mate on a PB4Y2 aircraft. After training he was stationed in the Pacific on the island of Okinawa, where his crew flew over 70 missions. After the war Archie attended the University of Wyoming, where he earned a B.S. Degree in Engineering. Upon graduation, he began a 35 year career in the oil and gas industry with the Atlantic Refining Company, which eventually became ARCO Oil and Gas. After moving from Oklahoma to Louisiana to Corpus Christi, Archie came to East Texas in 1955, where he finished his career as the Southeastern District Production Supt for ARCO, retiring in 1988. While working for ARCO, he received the company’s Public Speaking award for his willingness to speak to different groups regarding the vital role that the oil and gas industry plays in our nation’s economy. He was a long-time member of the American Petroleum Institute, contributing to the API Standard on fiberglass tanks. He also co-authored ARCO’s manual on sucker-rod pumping.
Archie was a member of Oakland Heights Baptist Church, where he served in several different roles through the years. He was also a member of the Greggton Rotary Club, joining the club in 1963. While in Rotary, he held many different offices, including club President and District Governor for 1982/83. He was often referred to as “Mr. Rotary”, for his dedication and service to his community through Rotary. He had 52 years of perfect attendance. He was also a 50-year member of the Pine Tree Masonic Lodge. Archie was a “doer” and received great joy from being approached with a “project” that someone needed help with. There weren’t many things that he couldn’t work on, and he especially enjoyed projects that involved building something.
Archie is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Laura & Paul Trotter of Bullard; son and daughter-in-law Walter & Cathie Lou Tehan of Liberty City; daughter-in-law Tammy Tehan of Spring Hill; son and daughter-in-law Kelly and Donna Freeman of Henderson; daughter-in-law Renee Brewer of Garland; Grandchildren: Shea Powell, Taylor Tehan, Mary Evelyn Westbrook, Katie Weaver, Michael Tehan, Chad Ford, Jeremy Brewer, Cameron Brewer, Nathan Brewer, Christopher Freeman, and Shannon Freeman.
Great Grandchildren: Sydney Powell, Archer Powell, Ashlyn Weaver, Tristan Ford, Elise Ford, Everett Ford, Olivia Freeman, Caroline Freeman, Beau Freeman, Millie Freeman, Braeden Freeman.
Great Great Grandchild: Emma Scott Powell
He will be missed by a host of friends and extended family.
He was preceded in death by his parents A.L. and Minnie Tehan; brother Tom Tehan; sister Florence Irick; half-brother John Perkins; Wives Dorothy and Peggy Tehan; son Steve Tehan, son-in-law, Mark Brewer.
A special word of thanks is extended to the many employees at Hawkins Creek Assisted Living, who went above and beyond in their care and love for “our Tehan”. We would also like to thank Debbie Westbrook and the staff at Hospice of East Texas, as well as the employees at Pine Tree Home Health. There were so many people who made Pop’s life better in these last days that we could never name them all. Thank you all for your love and care for Archie. He loved you deeply. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be donated to Oakland Heights Baptist Church, The Rotary Foundation in care of the Greggton Rotary Club, Hospice of East Texas or the charity of your choice.
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