Edwin "Ed" Creech

Most knew him as Mr. Creech, that’s what comes from 32 years of teaching. We knew that wherever we were out with Dad we could expect to hear an excited shout out, “Mr. Creech! “ with a fond hug or hearty handshake to follow and then “You were the best teacher I ever had… Thank you so much.” At home he was a loving and wise father. He began his teaching career at Orlando High School 1950-52. Then taught 25 years at Winter Park High School finally retiring after five years at West Orange HS. He taught history, economics, and government. His unique style of great story telling made the politics of the day and facts of the past a joy to learn. His classes were always in high demand and overloaded. At one point he moved his lectures to the auditorium so he could accommodate all the students signed up. He has left those he touched with stories and memories that will never be forgotten.

Edwin Desso Creech passed away Feb 12, 2017. He was born in Laurinburg, NC, February 17, 1926 the only child of Gladys T. Creech and Edwin D. Creech. He left for NC State at the age of 17 as WWII was underway. While at college he signed up for the navy and was shipped out to the pacific front as a radioman aboard a PB-4Y2 patrol bomber based on Okinawa, Iwo Jima and Tinian. His stories of the war did not dwell on the horrors of war but on the friendships he made, the amazing things he experienced and the absurdities of war.

After the war Ed obtained a Bachelors degree from Stetson University and his masters degree in economics from Rollins College. He settled in Orlando and besides teaching, owned and operated a toy store in Winter Park and invested in real estate. He was a thrifty man and invested wisely. He was very proud of the fact that on a teacher’s salary and investments he was able to retire comfortably at age 55. Ed’s fighting spirit and sense of fair play was evident in all he did. He actively fought for teacher raises in the 1968 teachers strike. He lead an effort to bring in African American teachers to Winter Park High, mentoring Dr. Alzo Reddick when he came to his department . They remained great friends until his death.

He built a cabin on the St Johns with materials salvaged from local restaurants going out of business. On the 50 acres there he established a small herd of cattle. He grew to love his cows and gave them all names. See Orlando Sentinel 9/14/03 story. He rarely spent money on himself but was generous to his family and those in need. He was preceded in death by his first wife Shadie Beardall mother of their 3 children and by his 2nd wife Sarah H Creech. He is survived by his wife Carolyn Creech his three children Becky Davis, Shadie Creech, and Harald Creech, 6 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

Services will be held at 3PM on Sat Feb 18 at Woodlawn Memorial Park, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Rd, Gotha, FL 34734 all friends and family are welcome. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association 378, Center Point Circle, Suite 1280, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701 (designate for team - Creech Creepers).