Tarlochan (Teach) Singh Ghuman

Teach unexpectedly passed away July 3, 2024, at his home. He was preceded in death by his brother Jaspaul, his mother, Sital, and his father, Gian. He is survived by his brother, Mintoo, his adopted sister, Connie, his niece, Alyssa and nephew, Everett.

Teach was born in Punjab, India. More will be shared at family gatherings about his early life there than can be reported right now. Other than…evidently, as a 6 year-old, he mistook a parade for Jackie Kennedy as being for Queen Elizabeth…and was later brave enough to put his scared 2 year-old brother on his back to protect him from a snake.

At seven years of age, he traveled with his mother and brothers to Davis, California to join his father, who had gone in advance. The family was new to America and trying to find its way. Dad was pursuing a degree, while maybe doing some teaching; Mom watched kids of other young families in an off-the-books daycare; on occasion, the whole gang picked produce; and Teach delivered newspapers.

Teach led the family – by urging and pleading with Dad – to do the popular things Americans do. There were trips to Disneyland and the budget-friendly natural sights California had to offer – Lake Tahoe, the redwoods, the Joshua tree, Yosemite…Teach had heard of the Three Brothers and urged the younger Ghumans to lock arms with him and mirror the mountain arrangement he pointed out. It turns out he wasn’t looking at the right thing, but he still spoke with the tone of educational authority.

While only living in California a few years, Teach never lost his loyalty and passion to the San Francisco sports teams. It was a popular time for baseball, with the Giants roster including Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Jim Ray Hart, Dick Dietz, Tito Fuentes, Jesus Alou, Juan Marichal, and Gaylord Perry. Even after moving to Georgia, he would follow his Giants at Atlanta-Fulton County stadium.

Teach celebrated his first American championship when the Golden State Warriors won the NBA in 1975. He got spoiled with the success of five Super Bowls with the 49ers of Bill Walsh, Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Roger Craig et al. His Giants finally got their championships in the 2010s.

As a participant, Teach was obsessive about basketball. It consumed his every thought and waking moment. He went to summer camps when those weren’t very well known. Before there was even any media coverage of the ABA, he knew all about Dr. J, Dan Issel, Artis Gilmore and Rick Barry.

He enjoyed being a leader and enlisting participation from others to live out some of his unconventional ideas. When balloons were given out at the opening of the Oglethorpe Mall, he had access to those of his younger brothers. With the three balloons tied end-to-end, the chain was long enough to reach those which had floated to the ceiling; and by twirling the long tail around that of the lost balloon, he was able to give a bunch of them second owners.

Teach was very accomplished academically and earned a Mechanical Engineering degree from Georgia Tech. He worked for Georgia Power at Plant Hatch and for the Corps of Engineers on assignments in Savannah, Fayetteville, NC, Sondrestrom, Greenland and Kuwait.

He will be remembered for his passion and enthusiasm for life and his spirit for engaging others to join in the pursuit of excitement.

The family would like to thank all those who have called, sent text messages and cards for expressing their love and support during this time.