Thomas Clay Teas

Thomas Clay Teas, 94, of 355 S. Pennsylvania Avenue - Mason City, died Friday, December 9, 2011, at his home. Memorial services will be held at 2:30 PM, Saturday, December 17, 2011, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, with Chaplain Janet Dorenkamp – Hospice of North Iowa officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Opportunity Village: P.O. Box 622 – Clear Lake, IA 50428, Hospice of North Iowa: 232 2nd Street Southeast - Mason City, IA 50401, or Easter Seal Society: PO Box 4002, Des Moines, IA 50332-4002. Tom was born May 10, 1917, in Albia, IA, the son of Charles and Ethel (Wood) Teas. He spent his childhood in Dallas, IA and graduated from Dallas High School in 1935. He served in the U.S. Army from 1941 - 1946, as a Major (WWII - Pacific Theater). Tom continued his education at the University of Iowa - graduating with a law degree in 1947, with high distinction, Order of the Coif, and Phi Beta Kappa. On October 24, 1973, he married Dorothy Cantrell Balfanz in Chicago, IL. Tom partnered with Finley, Teas and Esser Law Firm for 65 years, before retiring in 1993. He was a member of the Cerro Gordo County Bar Association (past President), the Second Judicial District Bar Association, the Iowa Bar Association and the American Bar Association. He was also a member of the Lions Club, the Mason City Country Club (more than 50 years), the U.S. Jaycees (serving as chairman of the Americanism Committee), and a former member of the Masonic Lodge and Elks Lodge. Tom served on several boards including the Board of Education for the Mason City Public Schools, the Board of Directors for the Iowa Health Planning Council, and the Board of Wellborn Industries, Ltd. - where he served as Chairman. He was a loyal participant of the Easter Seal Society, and served in various capacities, including national president. Tom was among the founders of Opportunity Village and a strong supporter of NIVIC. Tom is survived by his wife of 38 years: Dorothy Teas of Mason City; children, Gregory Teas, M.D., and wife Shaku of Chicago, IL, and Susan Smith and husband David of Naperville, IL; 1 step-son: Richard Balfanz and wife Peggy of Oshkosh, WI; 5 grandchildren: Ethan Teas, Sonia Teas, Zachary Smith, Alex Balfranz, and Kimberly Chelsvig; and 5 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; 2 daughters: Mary Elizabeth Teas and Martha Jane Teas; 2 brothers: Charles Teas Jr. and Herbert Teas; and 1 sister: Muriel Mappin.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Opportunity Village: P.O. Box 622 – Clear Lake, IA 50428, Hospice of North Iowa: 232 2nd Street Southeast - Mason City, IA 50401, or Easter Seal Society: PO Box 4002, Des Moines, IA 50332-4002.

Service:
Memorial services will be held at 2:30 PM, Saturday, December 17, 2011, at Major Erickson Funeral Home