Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Today Lane and I drove Elder and Sister B to St Luke's in Manila for a followup doctors appointment. While we were there I received a call from President P. He asked that I call my brother Clayton. Since we were shopping in S&R and I had no ability to make an international call I questioned President P if he knew what Clayton had to say. After he affirmed that he did, I asked, "Did my father die?" He said "Yes, was he ill?" "No, but he was 83." Lane and I stood by the cheese case. He held me in his arms, I cried briefly and then we had to continue with our day. Later that night President P, his wife and the office couple stopped by our home for a visit.
We quickly decided to stay the course, remain in the Philippines and miss the funeral. The following depicts some of the communication that we were privileged to have during this time of reflection.
EMAIL:
My dear Jerry, Tues. Nov 8, 2011
I really can feel your hug! Thank you for your eternal love. It's actually been a good day. I feel peaceful and calm and blessed. I am so blessed to be your momma.
Of all the days to be in Manila...away from home, the internet and Skype. But Clayton persisted in reaching our wonderful mission president who gave me a call and broke the news of my dad's passing. I then borrowed a phone and spoke with Clayton, my mom (and even Jami who was with my mom).
Please hug ALL of my family when you see them, this week especially.
What's the latest news concerning my expected g'child?
Jerry, I love you forever!
Momma
OBITUARY:
Dennis Allen Creek
07/14/1928 ~ 11/7/2011
...born July 14, 1928 to Shelby and Edith Creek in Evanston,
Wyoming, passed away peacefully from this life November 7, 2011 at his
home in West Valley City, Utah. He was married in the Manti Temple, Manti, Utah, and is survived by Elna, his wife of 58 years, and their seven children; Chris and Charla Hancuff, Curtis and Kolene Creek, Clayton and Michelle Creek, Lane and Carolyn Howell, and their loving Howell family, Chris and Lorie Creek, Rick and Cathy Hightower, and Daryl and Cecile Shumway. Dennis and Elna are the grandparents of 37 and great grandparents of 21. His brother, Ken Creek, and sister, Doris Simm both reside in Vancouver, Washington.
Dad was educated at Brigham Young University, and the University of Washington. He was an educator and an administrator at the Toutle Lake School, and made his home in Longview, Washington for over 30 years. Dad loved poetry, good books, chess, hiking, mountain climbing, traveling, big bands at Disneyland, playing the piano, family talent shows, and teaching others, especially his family. Because of his wide variety of interests, he was able to have a great influence on the happiness and traditions of our family. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, where he served as the Organist. Our Father served proudly in the Navy.
Dad quoted these works by G.B. Shaw and lived by them. "This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being a force of nature…. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I live."
Funeral Services will be held Friday, November 11, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Academy Ward, 4605 West Point Drive. The family will receive friends at a visitation Thursday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Valley View Funeral Home, 4335 West 4100 South; and one hour prior to the service on Friday at the Ward.
EMAIL:
Hello Howell Family, Tues. November 8, 2011
It is with much sadness that we tell you of the passing of Carolyn's wonderful father, Dennis Creek.
Yesterday, (Monday afternoon) Dennis went shopping with Elna for a new sweater, since Tinkerbell had dropped a spark in the pocket of his old one and burned a hole during one of the recent puppet shows. They returned home to relax and Dennis worked for a while on a jig-saw puzzle. Later, as he was resting, he sat back in his chair, folded his arms and groaned. Elna checked on him, only to find he was not breathing. He apparently suffered a heart attack and died instantly.
The funeral will be Friday. We will not be able to attend but know the celebration of this unusual man will be a wonderful event.
Carolyn is very sad, but has a certain understanding of the life beyond and her father's pathway. She will always remember him fondly. Your support of Carolyn's mother, and the rest of the Creek family is certainly appreciated.
Love,
Dad
MY MEMORIES: (Each of the 7 C's had three minutes at the funeral, Jerry stood in for me)
It was September 2002 and I held a plane ticket from Florida to Washington to help Mom and Dad put a fresh coat of paint on the house. Lane’s job had ‘quit’ him the week before but we had kept that news from mom and dad. We had some important decisions to make. Should I cancel my flight, stay in Florida, prepare the house for sale and begin packing, or travel to Washington?
I flew to Washington believing that I could be a big help painting the house. When I arrived at the house my parents enthusiastically marched me outside to survey their painting progress. It was 95% complete! I thought, “I should have stayed in Florida.” When Dad saw the disappointment on my face he exclaimed “you didn’t come to just paint the house did you!? We’d rather spend our time with you at the beach!”
And so there I was, alone with my parents......for the very first time! Off we went to the beach! I have always treasured that week, being the only child.
My parents were full of surprises like this. But it was Dad who especially loved to be unpredictable.
He told me “happiness is non-conformity! Someone who goes along doing everything like everybody else does is not a happy person. If you’re supposed to floss and you don’t, you have a better chance for happiness.”
For grades 7 and 8 I tagged along with Dad to Toutle Lake School. He was my English and band teacher. The days were often long due to faculty and PTA meetings, play practices, or having to take a ‘school bus run’. He set up a little hot plate above the band room and we’d heat up canned stew for dinner. Those 2 years were rich in many ways. Later, he was the HS principal but finally settled into 5th grade - his favorite grade to teach.
When I left for BYU our incredible mother would write faithfully; on beautiful stationary, detailing family life and news of ward friends. Dad’s letters were different. Written rarely, jotted on a restaurant placemat or concert program, and containing a list of unusual bullet points:
* The barometer reading.
* A knock-knock joke.
* And whether mom had put nuts in his fudge.
Here are a few recent bullet points from Dennis Creek.
- Make a family outing so much fun that if anyone misses it they’ll be sure not to miss twice.
- How are you........really?
- I’d give $1,000 to relive what I perceived to be my hardest day when my 7 kids were young.
- Khachaturian’s piano concerto in D-flat major is a notable piece that I enjoyed playing.
- I’d better buy your mom some more flowers. She’s pretty nice to have around.
Dad often asked, “what can I do for you?”
Now the phrase has turned and his answer is “look after your mother for me!”
Mother, Dad is still looking after you. He has positioned you close to your children, surrounded you with grandchildren and placed you in the heart of quilting country.
This week we did not lose dad. We know right where he is, and he is not lost. Christopher and Nathan found him. He is in good hands and so are you. I love you forever, I like you for always, as long as eternity my mother you’ll be.
Family gathering April 2010
Denali Glacier landing prior to Alaskan cruise May 2010
Reunion fun August 2010
Disneyland trip March 2011
FOR THE RECORD:
Dennis Allen Creek – World Class Dad
80th Birthday - July 14, 2008
Family fun:
Silent Mar – being quiet longest wins
Touch ya last
Creek of the Week
Nightmare Alice
Hurse-chaser – 110 mph on I-5
Daddy-daughter dates
Seaside go-carts
Bedtime stories – w/ the barber pole
“Rise’n’shine” – annoying a.m. ritual
Toots – the good kind
Spoons
Skittle hunts
Awesome abilities:
Pianist – Khachaturian, primary, lessons
Athlete - Mountain climber /top of Tetons
Mechanic – Honda repairs
Drama – community plays
Artist – set design, painter
Writer – of collectible letters
Philosopher – & advice giver
Chess – a favorite opponent
Music memories:
To the dump song
Stake Roadshows – Johnny Appleseed
Banjo & scroll – When I first came to this land
Toutle Lake – Mass band
Whitney Houston concert in the Salt Palace
Tasty tidbits:
Momma’s fudge
Frozen fruit – all varieties
Vanilla wafers
Barber poles
Black licorice
Bread & molasses
Vacation locations:
Disneyland
Jackson – camping/hiking/rafting
NW Beaches
Grand Canyon
Preferred Pastimes:
Puzzles – jigsaw, word
Reading - Longview library
Walking – streets of Longview
Greenhouse – pixie carnations
1 comment:
love this and you!
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