Kenneth Ray Creamer

Kenneth Ray Creamer arrived at the Eastern Gate December 30, 2021, finishing completely every part of the race that was his for exactly 85 years. He was born at 11:45pm, December 31, 1936, in Fort Worth, Texas. He is preceded in death by his parents, Daniel Andrew and Jessie Johnson Creamer, and his younger brother, Jerry Don Creamer.

With his parents’ blessing, Kenneth eloped with the bride who would be his for 65 years, Mary Joann Wideman Creamer. He is survived by her, their daughter Michelle and her husband Mark Canton, their son Barry and his wife Joan; their grandchildren and families: Matthew and Megan Canton, Maci and Jared Holloway, Philip and Samantha Creamer, Megan and Jonathan Hala, Leah Creamer and Jessica Quazi, Mallory and Taylor Jacob, Daniel and Barbara Creamer, and Madison and Ryan Patterson. They are also survived by 18 great grandchildren.

Kenneth worked for General Dynamics even before graduating from Boyd High School. He served in the Army National Guard and was called up by President Kennedy during the Cuban Missile Crisis, worked for General Dynamics, built and ran a service station in Azle, attended Weatherford Junior College and graduated later from Tarrant County Junior College—the first college graduate of the family. He worked in Crane, TX, for El Paso Natural Gas in the 1960s, and then 25 years for the City of Arlington, TX, in traffic operations, from which he retired at the age of 59.

He was a great competitor. He loved playing softball often in several leagues simultaneously. He took up racquetball and skiing at the age of 52. In racquetball, he was a serious competitor in doubles competitions with Barry. And in skiing, he had the skill and patience to teach most of Michelle and Barry’s kids how to ski, along with innumerable children, youth, and adults from church ski trips. Family and church ski trips in his vans are legendary. In later years, he built magnificent electric train sets in his home for anyone to come and enjoy, especially during the holidays. His most recent train set is still being enjoyed by family and friends.

Most importantly, Kenneth’s faith was established throughout his lifetime, but secured when he accepted Christ at the age of 28. He was active in church and ministry, and served every person he knew had a need. Kenneth Ray Creamer left the world a better place than he found it, and his family a richer heritage.