That’s how Jack Teeter describes his lifestyle. Teeter has faced his share of challenges but tries not to let them define him; he prefers to be an encourager.
A teacher by training, he has been successful as a high school science instructor and baseball coach. “Meeting a former student or player on the street and having him remember the effect I’ve had upon his life is a great thrill,” quotes Teeter, “I think all educators cherish those moments.”
Music is Jack’s passion. He wrote his first song, Prayin’ For A Friend, to encourage a friend – a fellow cancer survivor was in the hospital with complications and needed some cheering up: “It’s probably not all that great a song, but I think it helped Wilfred get better.” Since that first ditty he has written and performed dozens of inspirational songs as ‘special music’ for church congregations. “Imagine having a song written just for you,” Karen, his wife of forty years, declares, “it’s incredibly uplifting!”
As a computer consultant Teeter has traveled extensively throughout the Southeast, working with businesses from school boards, to fortune 500 companies, to government contractors. “Teaching didn’t pay much and music didn’t pay at all. Like everyone else, I had to make a buck,” says Teeter. “I felt like that old cowboy, Paladin: ‘Have laptop, will travel.’”
Health problems finally forced Teeter into an early retirement. “My pitching arm, my guitar, and my laptop all gave out in the same year… I’ve had some good times – maybe it’s time to write about some of them.”
Jack and Karen currently reside in El Paso, Texas. They have two sons and three grandchildren.
Baby Boomer Author