Teddy Poindexter

Teddy Paul Poindexter was born November 28, 1932 in Portales, New Mexico, to Minnie Hazel Harrison and David William Poindexter. He was the sixth of what would eventually become a family of thirteen children. Teddy lived in many New Mexico locations but considered Capitan, New Mexico his hometown. He graduated high school there in May 1951 and went into the Navy in June 1951, serving as a Machinist Mate 2nd Class aboard the USS Winston during the Korean War. Upon discharge from the Navy in 1955 he met up with his family in Arizona. His first job after arriving there was as a lineman with the phone company in Bisbee, Arizona. Eventually he would move to the Safford Mountain Bell office becoming a central office technician, inventing 2 devices which were patented through Bell Laboratories, and later retired in 1986. Shortly after his move to the Safford office, he met Mary Justina Taylor who would become his wife. Together they had four children whom they raised in the Safford area. During his life he would enjoy hunting, fishing, and camping. Upon retirement become a wonderful baker, and also a spoiler of his 9 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren to whom he was affectionately known as Papa. He was also a member of the Safford Elks. Teddy was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Justina, in June 2010 as well as 6 of his siblings. He is survived by his four children; Patricia Ann Herron, Jonie Jeanette Burge, Paula England, and Teddy Paul Poindexter II, his 9 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, and 6 siblings. A viewing will be held on Monday, May 19, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. at Caldwell Funeral Chapel with the Graveside service to follow at 10:30 a.m. at the Pima Cemetery.