Jim Teak, Class of ‘61

Jim was active at BUHS. He served as class president for two years, played football and baseball for four years, was selected for Boy’s State and All-State Band, and was active in the National Honor Society, Drama Club, Lettermen’s Club, Jr. Red Cross, Band, Choir and Mixed Chorus.

He attended the University of Arizona, getting his degree in secondary education. He was fortunate to be advised by upperclassman Robert Berryhill (’59) to take the qualification exam and physical for the Air Force Pilot Training Program, was successful, served 22 years, retired as an O-5 (Lt Col), and flew operationally in nine different airplanes.

Jim spent the next 20 years working as a contractor for both the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Defense (DOD). For DOE, he worked the high-level nuclear waste project (Yucca Mountain) in Las Vegas, NV, and the low-level waste isolation program (WIPP) in Carlsbad, NM. For DOD, he worked the development of a military spaceplane, which is currently in orbit on its fourth classified mission, and the development of distributed computer wargames including players from various weapon systems from all branches of the US service and those of several of our allies

Jim lives in Albuquerque, NM, with his wife Judy of 42 years. They have one son, Ryan, who is a Major in the AF flying B-1s. His son from a previous marriage, Ken Koch, is married and is the Chief of the University of Colorado Police Department. Jim and Judy are planning a final move to southern AZ in the summer to better enjoy their golden years.