Charles "Chuck" Edward Teston

CMSgt Charles “Chuck” E. Teston (USAF Retired), died Sunday, December 6, 2020 in Gulfport, MS at 86 years of age. He had been a resident of the MS Gulf Coast for many years, living in Gulfport, MS. Chief Teston entered the United States Air Force January 7, 1954. He was a graduate of the USAF Senior NCO Academy, NCO Academy, and the Military Airlift Command Academic Instructor School, Tinker AFB, OK as the honor graduate of his class. His first assignment was basic military training, Lackland AFB, TX and later assigned to Keesler AFB, MS for 32 weeks graduating November 1954 as an enlisted airborne radio operator. Numerous flying duty assignments followed his graduation. Among the 17 service medals and awards received during his service career are the Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Presidential Unit Citation for Valor, the Vietnam Service Medal with 3 battle stars, and the Vietnam 1964 Campaign Medal. He also was a 1983 nominee for chief master sergeant of the Air Force position. He served in numerous flying, technical and command positions in the USA, sea, Okinawa, Christmas Island and Vietnam. The chief and his family had 19 different assignments during his 32 year career. Chief Teston served at all echelons of the enlisted leadership structure, as senior enlisted advisor to the commander Air Force communications command and division level senior enlisted advisor. From 1975-77 he served as acting first sergeant 1st communication group with 1300 troops as his responsibility at Offutt AFB, NE. Chief Teston participated on station at Christmas Island for Dominic Series nuclear tests in 1962 as an aircrew member on board WB-50 aircraft. After retirement in 1985 he worked as a telecommunications manager for Electronic Data Systems (EDS) on assignment to Southfield, MI; Valler, CA; Rio De Janeiro, Brazil; and Plano, TX retiring in 1995. He has been active in his community serving as a Gulfport Civil Service Commissioner, Gulfport City Councilman, Ward 6. He served as president of Orange Grove, Lyman Chamber of Commerce in 2007. He served as second vice commander American Legion Post 119. He was a member of VFW and a coast centurion. He was inducted into the Air Force Communications Air Traffic Control Information Hall of Fame May 2, 2007, Washington, DC and was inducted into the AACS Hall of Honor in 2008. Chief Teston chaired numerous military veteran’s ceremonies. The chief was a regular speaker at each class of the Mathies NCO Academy Keesler AFB. Chief Teston was invited to speak at numerous military activities on the Gulf Coast pertaining to military history and tradition. He was the first lifetime trustee of AFSA Chapter 652, Keesler AFB. Chief Teston was preceded in death by his parents; James Blaine Teston and Ruby Rachel Teston; sisters Merle, Carrie, Mildred Clara, brothers Troy, Lonnie, Earl and GW. He is survived by his best friend and loving wife Beverly; son Christopher; daughter Charlene. Always on the chief’s mind was his deceased son, Dean Robin. The chief led an active and giving life with many honors and achievements. He wore his chief aircrew badge for 19 years of flight duty with over 100 missions in sea during the Vietnam war. He was proud to serve the American Legion, VFW and the Air Force Sergeants Association. A great warrior, husband, father and citizen. When you met Chuck you never forgot him. He was one of a kind. He will be sorely missed. Visitation will be Thursday, December 10, 2020 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15452 O’Neal Road, Gulfport. The funeral will be held in the funeral home chapel on Friday, December 11, 2020, at 9:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery with military honors by the US Air Force. The family prefers memorials to the South Mississippi Humane Society, 2615 25th Avenue, Gulfport, MS 30501. Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the Teston family.