Assistant prosecutor a Renaissance man

7/7/2009

Jan K. Teague, 72, of Holland, a former assistant Monroe County prosecutor, died Sunday at Hospice of Northwest Ohio in Toledo.

The cause of death was not known. His wife, Joan, said he had a history of problems related to a heart condition and to diabetes.

Mr. Teague received his undergraduate degree and his law degree from the University of Toledo.

He served as an assistant Monroe County prosecutor for many years, retiring in 1997.

He also taught law at Monroe Community College, a job he found "fascinating," his wife said.

"He had to deal with all kinds of people, and was very good at it. He was very nonjudgmental," she said.

Mr. Teague was an avid Boston Red Sox and Toledo Mud Hens fan, and a member of the Monroe County prosecutor's softball team.

He also was an avid fly-fisherman. He attended fly-fishing meetings in Toledo even as a child, and was one of the original founders of the North Branch Boys Fly Fishing Club.

Among the co-founders was his close friend, attorney George Fell. The two met at a fly-tying class in the 1970s.

"He was a very inquisitive fellow," said Mr. Fell, who added that Mr. Teague would take classes on everything from upholstering furniture to building barns.

Together, the friends went fly-fishing in rivers and streams across the United States.

Mr. Teague read incessantly on topics including history, politics, and geography. He often read and studied maps.

He enjoyed classical and jazz music, and loved to go to the symphony as well as the art museum.

In addition to his wife, Joan, surviving are sons, Jan and Jeffrey; daughter, Elizabeth Yeager; mother, Marjorie Henry; brother, Michael Teague, and two granddaughters.

Visitation is at Reeb Funeral Home from 2 to 8 p.m. tomorrow, where services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday.

The family suggests tributes to the Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Swan Creek Adult Day Care, or the charity of the donor's choice.