JOHNNY J. TEGLAS

Johnny Julius Teglas, 64, died Wednesday, February 21, 2024 following an extended battle with kidney cancer.

Johnny was a retired newspaper executive who spent his final years alongside his wife and son as they cheered their beloved Hokies, cared for their most loyal K9 princess; Dutchie, and tended their family property on Brush Mountain in Blacksburg.

Born in Pikeville, Ky. on June 26, 1959 to parents Joe and Mary Jane, Johnny’s childhood was marked by adventure as his family followed his father’s military career in the US Air Force. Growing up in various locations across the US and Europe provided rich context. Those experiences instilled skills of adaptability and observation as well as a sincere respect for the diversity of people, places, and ideas. The Teglas family settled back in the coalfields of Southwest Virginia, the place - a generation before - Johnny’s grandparents immigrated to from Hungary in search of better lives.

Johnny was a 1977 graduate of Powell Valley High School (Big Stone Gap). Always respectful of his Appalachian roots, he reveled in his page 252 cameo reference by friend, classmate, and New York Times bestselling author, Adriana Trigiani, in her novel, Big Cherry Holler.

Johnny graduated from Virginia Tech (Blacksburg) in 1981 with a bachelor’s degree in communications studies and collective minors in sociology, psychology, social psychology, and criminal and deviant behavior. He would often recall fond stories of learning from Hokie legends Dr. Tony Distler and Dr. Bud Robertson. It was in Blacksburg that Johnny met his sweetheart, Kimberly.

Johnny and Kim married in 1982 and returned to Wise County to start their careers and family. The couple clung to each other through the death of their infant daughter, Ashton, in 1987. She succumbed to SIDS at just six weeks old. They cried with joy at the 1988 birth of their son, Jon Clark. Together, the three became a resilient, inseparable team, with Johnny’s introspective, calming, and perceptive demeanor in complement. Through the highs and lows of life, they recognized God’s immense blessings upon them and aspired to share those blessings with others through hospitality and service. As his sister, Mary Jo, would say, ‘Johnny is our rock.’ Solid, unchanging, strong. Johnny was unquestionably the captain of his family’s team.

Professionally, Johnny would go on to become a highly successful journalist in Southwest Virginia. He spent the first two decades of his career as executive vice president and general manager of The Norton Press, Inc., publishers of The Coalfield Progress (Norton), The Dickenson Star/Cumberland Times (Clintwood) and The Post (Big Stone Gap). He also served as publisher of The Post. During that time, he earned dozens of Virginia Press Association and National Newspaper Association awards for writing, reporting, editing, photography, column writing, editorial writing, opinion writing, advertising, and graphic design. In his role at The Norton Press, Johnny was a production specialist, involved in niche product development and emerging technologies. He also was a key member in the company’s efforts to proactively expand into online publishing.

Johnny then went on to work for Landmark Community Newspapers. While at Landmark, he was responsible for the company’s properties in Tennessee and Mississippi. Most specifically, he was publisher and regional manager of The Roane County News (Kingston, Tn.), The Roane County News-Record (Kingston, Tn.), The Harriman Record (Harriman, Tn.), The Rockwood Times (Rockwood, Tn.), The Morgan County News (Wartburg, Tn.), The LaFollette Press, (LaFollette, Tn.), and Landmark Web Printing (Chattanooga, Tn.). He also served as publisher and regional manager of The New Albany Gazette (New Albany, Ms.), and the Tupelo Penny Saver (Tupelo, Ms.). He developed and produced dozens of specialty products across traditional print and online platforms. Under his guidance, the newspapers earned dozens of Tennessee Press Association, Mississippi Press Association, and Landmark corporate awards. Johnny also served Landmark in a national role, sitting as a member of the organization’s operations team. His areas of specialty were production efficiencies, human resources, and leadership development.

Throughout his career, Johnny penned a weekly column entitled ‘Impressions’. His skillful storytelling imparted relatable and uplifting messages that resonated deeply with readers, constantly reminding them of the importance of faith, love, and community. With a charming mix of humor and sincerity, he invited readers into his world, showcasing the antics of his then-young son, affectionately known as “the Terror of Templeton [Street],” and the enduring support – and endearing wisdom – of his wife, “Mrs. T.” His column served as a testament to the deep power of family bonds and the beauty found in life’s simple joys. It left a lasting impact on all who read it.

Johnny retired from Landmark in 2013 and spent several years working as a substitute teacher and volunteer with at-risk students in Wise County Public Schools prior to moving to Blacksburg.

Johnny was an avid Virginia Tech athletics fan and a long-time member of the Hokie Club. He loved listening to radio broadcasts of games, hosting guests for football game days, and helping plan tailgates. He never missed the opportunity to share that he ‘was a Hokie before it was cool to be a Hokie!’

Johnny lived out his alma mater’s motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve). He served his communities through volunteer efforts with the Wise County Chamber of Commerce, Wise County Education Association, GAP Corporation, United States Postal Service Advisory Committee, Appalachia Cultural Arts Council, Lonesome Pine Hospital Board of Directors, CASA of Roane County, Roane County Chamber of Commerce, Dolly Parton’s Roane Imagination Library, and the Harriman Rotary Club. A quiet, but familiar face on the sidelines of his son’s athletic events, he served in numerous leadership and support roles for Appalachia Little League, Appalachia Youth Football League, and Appalachia High School. For more than three decades, he volunteered to support the annual Coal/Railroad Days 5K road race.

A longtime member of Andover United Methodist Church (Andover), he most recently attended Blue Ridge Church (Christiansburg). While gifted at writing words, singing them wasn’t his thing. That didn’t stop him from cherishing many old hymns, which were deeply influential in his relationship with God, his family, and others. Nos. 98, 347, 364, 369, 657, 707 to name a few.

Johnny was, simply, the best gift giver. The intentionality and personalization with which he approached Christmas, birthdays, and everything in between, created a special (often unspoken) bond with those closest to him. He gave without regard, just as Christ taught. Recognizing this, it was the honor of Kim and Jon Clark’s lives to care for him in his final days on earth. His final gift to them. Their final gift to him. That kind of gift can tear you up, soften you, break you, and remold you into a stronger, more observant and tender human. A human like Johnny.

Johnny is survived by his wife and life partner of 41 years Kimberly Clark Teglas; their son, Jonathan Clark Teglas; sister, Mary Jo Myers; niece, Courtney Myers Hampton and husband Randall; great-nieces, Katie Buckles, Ashley Hampton, Samantha Hampton, and Hannah Hampton; mother-in-law, Venus Trusley Clark; brother-in-law, J. Greggory Clark; and countless other family members, special friends, and colleagues. He was preceded in death by parents, Joseph and Mary Jane Couch Teglas; daughter, Ashton Julianne Teglas; brother-in-law, Chip Myers, and father in-law, James “Teddy Bear” Clark.

The family will have a private funeral service to say goodbye to Johnny and lay his remains to rest at the American Legion Cemetery (Big Stone Gap). The service will be officiated by Rev. Tony Nunley and Chris Fisher. The family is tremendously grateful for the support of their community (in Blacksburg, Appalachia, and beyond) and from Johnny’s medical teams, especially Good Samaritan Hospice. To celebrate Johnny, the Teglas family invites you to make a memorial contribution to Virginia Tech’s campus beautification fund or to Good Samaritan Hospice.

Roy A. Green Funeral Home (Appalachia) and McCoy Funeral Home (Blacksburg) are graciously serving the Teglas family.