Former Rice University Board Chair James Teague Dies

Contact: Michael Cinelli
Phone: (713) 831-4794

Former Rice University Board Chair James Teague Dies

James U. Teague, former chairman of the
Rice University Board of Governors and most recently an emeritus
board member, died Jan. 24 at his home in Houston. He was 85 years
old.

He was elected to the board in 1966. He became chairman in May
1976 and served in that position until his retirement in June 1979,
at which time he was named trustee emeritus.

Rice recognized Teague’s contributions to the university by
awarding him the alumni association’s Gold Medal for Distinguished
Service in 1976.

"Jim was dedicated to helping Rice grow and prosper throughout
his life," said Charles W. Duncan Jr., chair of the Board of
Governors. "His thoughtful contributions on key issues will be
greatly missed. Rice has lost a great friend."

Norman Hackerman, president of the university during Teague’s
tenure as board chairman, noted that, "Mr. Teague made many
contributions to Rice University, the most important of which was
his clear understanding of the purpose and objective of an
institution such as Rice." Teague came to Rice as a 16-year-old
freshman from the oil field town of West Columbia, Texas. He earned
extra money during his undergraduate years by operating a radio
repair shop in his hometown. He graduated with a physics degree in
1930.

He worked for Humble Oil Co. and Hogg Oil Co. in Houston in the
1930s and 1940s until called to serve in the armed forces. He joined
the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was assigned to the Pacific
Theater and reached the rank of lieutenant commander before
returning to civilian life.

Teague returned to Texas in 1947 and founded Columbia Drilling
Co. His lifelong association with the oil industry included a term
as president of the American Association of Oil Well Drilling
Contractors and as president of the Houston Petroleum Club.

He was active in civic affairs throughout his life. He served as
past president of The DePelchin Faith Home and as a director for St.
Joseph Hospital Foundation and Holly Hall.

Teague served as a term member of the Rice board from 1966
through 1968, at which time he was elected a trustee. Four years
later he became vice chair of the board, moving into the chairman’s
post four years later.

He viewed his role as a longtime board member in the development
of Rice as transitional.

"The beautiful part about being a trustee of a university such
as Rice," he said in an interview shortly before becoming board
chair, "is the feeling of being a part of an institution that is
going to go on so much longer than your own lifetime. We sit down
there in the board room for a while, try to make decisions for the
good of the university, and are gone.

"But the university lasts in perpetuity. Oh yes, I think Rice
has a great future."

Teague was preceded in death by his wife of many years, Margot
Terry Teague, and a son, James Oliver Teague. He is survived by a
daughter, Margot Teague Madison.

He is survived by his wife, Lora Ruth Lindholm Teague, and
daughters Margot Terry Heard, Anne Terry Berry, Mary Lynn Terry
Selzer and Matilda Walker Henry.

The family has requested that contributions in memory of Teague
be made to the Rice University Scholarship Fund.

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