Michael Ray Teel, from Claremore, OK, peacefully made his transition to heaven on Friday, May 9, 2014, at age 63.

Memorial Service will be held at the Fitzgerald Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 14, 1 p.m. 3612 E. 91st Street, Tulsa, OK 74137.

Mike was born in Duncan, OK on Feb. 20, 1951. He was preceded in death by his parents, RC and Betty Teel; and his granddaughter, Tyler Rae.

Mike graduated from Maysville High School in 1969 and went on to become a Journeyman with Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Local Union 366.

In 1991, Mike began following his passion in the horse racing business and started his career as a race horse trainer.

For the past 24 years, Mike traveled throughout the country with over 2,700 racing starts. In 2001, Mike won the Speed Horse Futurity and Derby and qualified for the Champion of Champions in Las Alamedas, CA, making him one of the leading horse trainers in the state of Oklahoma. In 2008, Mike became the Leading Thoroughbred Trainer of the Year at Fair Meadows Race Track in Tulsa and has remained in the Top 3 for the past six years.

Mike is survived by his wife, Sue Teel; brother, John Teel, wife Diana Teel; one daughter, Michelle Rae Teel-Rhone, husband Russell Rhone; one grandson, Brant; four nephews, Beau, Chad, Caleb, and Bradley; lots of uncles and aunts who loved him very much; and a special young man, Jesse.

Please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society in honor of Mike Teel, whose life has been impacted by cancer. Your donation will help saves lives and create a world with less cancer by helping people stay well, helping people get well, by finding cures, and by fighting back.

Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel - 918-291-3500 www.fitzgeraldsouthwood chapel.com

Published in The Oklahoman on May 12, 2014