Gary (Elmo) Teter

Gary (Elmo) Teter of Tustin, California passed away in the comfort of his own home on October 24, 2025 with his family and caregivers by his side. Gary recently celebrated his 91st birthday with some of his family and close friends.

Gary was born on October 15, 1934 in Santa Ana, California to Arthur Ralph and Leila Mae (Dozier) Teter. Gary spent his childhood years in the Santa Ana and Tustin area when it was surrounded by citrus and avocado groves. His father Ralph was the foreman for the Lambert Ranch where Gary spent many years of his youth. He maintained friendships with his close knit group of friends and classmates throughout his life.

Upon graduating from high school Gary received a basketball scholarship to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where he attended for three years.

In 1955 he married Roberta Marie Galloro. They had four children together.

After leaving Cal Poly Gary was hired as a lineman for Pacific Bell Telephone, a job that required demanding physical labor, was dangerous and had long working hours. He eventually moved into management. One of his favorite accounts was setting up the phone system for Angel Stadium. In 1990 Gary retired, but not for long. He missed working and created Teter Communication, a consulting business.

Gary’s love of family, friends and socializing kept him and his family busy.

There were ORCO TELCO softball teams where Gary threw a mean softball pitch. The games were at night so the kids came in pajamas and the players and wives would have great parties afterwards.

For many years Gary was a proud member of the Red Hill Volunteer Fire Department.

Meeks Bay, Lake Tahoe was a favorite vacation spot for over a decade for the family. Gary could camp like no one else. He cooked the best breakfasts on the Coleman camp stove under the pines.

Gary truly loved the game of golf and was able to play for many, many years. Green River Golf Course was a favorite and many memories were made there with his boys. His trip to Augusta was a highlight for him.

Gary was always finding deals on cars and often the family home looked like a car lot. He owned everything from a ‘53 black Chevy pickup to a classic orange VW Surfer van. Always a car for the kids to drive!

In 1976 Gary met the true love of his life, Mary Ellen. They were married in 1977 and were devoted to each other until her passing in December 2023. He missed her deeply every day after.

With the marriage came four step-sons and four step-brothers for Gary’s kids. Gary was dedicated to all of his kids and was involved in everyone’s sports and activities. The big house on Wickford was a busy place. Holidays and special celebrations were always packed with family and friends!

When the kids grew up and the house was too big Gary and “Meme”bought a house in Enderle Gardens. True to Gary’s style he found it off market and purchased it “as is”. With son Scott’s expertise Gary and Meme transformed the house into their dream home.

Gary and Mary Ellen were devoted to each other and their home is a reflection of the love they had for each other and their children. Photographs and mementos fill their home. They treated their

children as one big family- not yours or mine, but “ours”.

The folks loved to sit in their front garden with a Birds Eye view of the neighborhood they loved. They would wave at the neighbors and walkers, watch the hummingbirds and simply enjoy being together.

Gary, Dad, Pops, Papa, Grandpa is survived by his large family who will miss him very much.

Gary is preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Mary Ellen, granddaughter Molly Margaret Teter, daughter-in-law Angela Turner Teter. He is survived by daughters Tonja (Mike), Angela (Joe), sons Scott (Angie), Tim (Carrie);stepsons, David (Sonya), Todd (Leslie), Kevin (Michele), Brian (Shelly);his grandchildren Ryan, Kate, Shane, Kyle, Cella, Ben, Lucia, Melina, Oskar, Leo, and Clementine; and his great-grandson Blake.

We are forever grateful to and would like to acknowledge Gary and Meme’s caregivers, Karin Haskin and Debbie Girvan. Their loving support and devotion made it possible for our parents to remain at home as they desired. Many thanks to our dear friend Jeff Both for always being there for our family.

A memorial will take place on November 22 at 12:00 p.m. at Brown Colonial Mortuary in Santa Ana. Burial to follow immediately after at Fairhaven Memorial Park.

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