POWERGRAMS

5 In October 1962, Teal was aboard the USS Canberra, a guided missile cruiser, during the Cuban missile crisis and naval blockade. "The most important thing we did was intercept a ship hauling missiles to Cuba," Teal said. Later, he became a cable layer, installing defense cable in strategic locations in the Pacific Ocean off the California coast. "We laid underwater cable about 20 miles out to sea, to detect anything in U.S. waters, to help detect ships," Teal said. "We could lay a cable in the ocean, and you could fire a pistol and pick up the sound back on the beach. We got the coastline secured. "Those cables are still used as part of a defense system that notifies the U.S. if a submarine or ship enters our borders," he said. During rare times off work, Teal enjoyed the chance to see St. John's, the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador; Argentia, a seaport on the Canadian coast; and Barbados. Teal earned five good conduct medals and two years of college credit from the Armed Forces. He retired from the Navy in 1964 as a senior chief inspector. Teal became a supervisor at Tenneco Nuclear Division, working on nuclear ships in Newport News, Virginia, for 11 years. After Teal noticed an Alabama Power recruiting office across from the shipyard, he applied for a job. In 1977, Teal became a quality control inspector at Miller Steam Plant. Within a few months, Teal was asked to work as an inspector at Farley Nuclear Plant, and he and his wife moved to Ozark. "That was fine with me, because that was where I was from," Teal said. Teal was later promoted to construction supervisor, working at Farley for 11 years until his May 1988 retirement. "I've lived a good life," said Teal, who is proud of his 14 grandchildren, 16 great- grandchildren and three great-great- grandchildren. Enjoying good health, Teal drives to Sunday services at Hillcrest Baptist Church. He lives in the home he built more than 30 years ago. The Teals were happily married for 59 years. Since his wife passed away in 2005, he's been more active in the Energizers retiree group, attending bi-monthly meetings at the Southeast Division Office in Eufaula. "The Energizers meetings give me more to do, and the chance to visit with old friends," Teal said. "I never worked with a better group of people. Alabama Power is a nice place to work; they look after their people. I never had a bad moment at the company." By Donna Cope Navy experience readied Teal for a job with APC. At 92, Teal is in good health and lives in Oxford.

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