Michael Lee Teston, 69

Michael Lee Teston, 69, of Spokane, Wash., passed away Dec. 25, 2023. He was born in 1954 in San Diego, Calif., and moved to North Idaho with his family in 1964. Michael attended Lakeland High School in Rathdrum and later pursued higher education at the University of Idaho in Moscow with an ROTC scholarship. After his graduation in 1976, he moved to Mather Air Force Base in California, where he resided until 1978 when his daughter, Jenny, was born, and then settled in the Spokane area, where his son, James, was born at Fairchild AFB. Michael had a distinguished military career, serving in the United States Air Force and Washington Air National Guard for a total of 28 years, including serving in the Gulf War. He was a navigator on B-52 and KC-135 aircraft and retired as the Commander of the 141st Operations Support Flight. 

Michael was known for his witty and sarcastic sense of humor and kind nature. He will be deeply missed by his daughter Jenny (Teston) Penning and son-in-law Rylan Penning, son James Teston, granddaughter Alix Penning, grandson Russell Penning, brother Steve Teston, niece Hailey (Teston) Adamson, bonus brother Scott Peck, and former spouses Nancy (Denman) Jewell and Renee (Mack) Teston. He was preceded in death by his father, Lester Teston, and his mother, Sally Teston.

In his free time, Michael enjoyed spending time on the water, including Lake Pend Oreille, Twin Lakes, and especially Lake Roosevelt. He loved to travel, including many trips to Hawaii with Renee. He also had a passion for Jimmy Buffett’s music and he and Renee were able to attend many of his concerts. 

A service will be held in his honor at Washington State Veteran's Cemetery, located at 21702 W. Espanola Road in Medical Lake, Wash., on Jan. 11 at 2:30 p.m. Contributions in memory of Michael can be made to Alzheimer's Research. 

Please join us in remembering and celebrating the life of Mike Teston. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Until we meet again.