Chad Freeman Creager

Chad Freeman Creager passed away on October 29, 2025, at the age of 83. Chad was a respected resident of Auburn Hills, Michigan. Chad Freeman Creager was born October 8, 1942 in Baytown, Texas, the oldest son of Elizabeth and William Truett Creager. With his younger brother Rowe he grew up in Huntsville, Texas, where their father was Dean of Students and Professor of Education at Sam Houston State Teachers College  (now State University). Chad loved the out-of-doors, enjoying many camping trips and adventures with the Troops of the Josey Scout Lodge, and becoming an Eagle Scout. Chad joined the US Army in the mid-1960s, serving in Germany for several years. There he learned to ski, and gained an appreciation for the history and culture of Western Europe. He then attended the University of Texas, studying math, history, and early childhood education, and becoming the first male kindergarten teacher in the state of Texas.

Working as a computer programmer in Houston, Chad sang in his church choir, participated in Gilbert & Sullivan productions, and built a circle of friends whose wide-ranging interests fascinated him – spinning and weaving, pottery making, and painting. He became an avid sailor, and often crewed for Houston/Galveston area sailboat races. Ever the Boy Scout at heart, he enjoyed birding, hiking, canoeing.

In 1985 Chad was recruited by EDS to bring his computer skills to Michigan, working for GM Pontiac Division. He bought a 1919 slate-roofed house in the GM Modern Housing Corporation Addition, and immediately joined the Oakland Choral Society, purchased a season ticket to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and learned about the joys of canoeing the Au Sable, exploring the Upper Peninsula, and skiing Boyne Mountain.

Chad met Mary Walter in the early 1990s, simultaneously in chorus and at EDS Dealer Systems where Chad had been working on the Saturn launch. They quickly discovered a multitude of common interests; when they were finally married in 1997 their friends all said “What took you so long?”  Chad bought DSO tickets for the two of them, and introduced Mary to an appreciation of modern architecture, modern classical music, sophisticated cooking, and the piney woods of East Texas; Mary introduced Chad to her family’s passions for botany, geology, and the mountains of West Virginia. Many of their early “dates” were simply Sunday trips to Borders’ Bookstore, and Chad was soon building bookshelves and magazine storage units in Mary’s little 1955 kit house in Auburn Hills.

There followed many happy years of nature lovers’ travels – with Stage and Seven Ponds Nature Centers, ElderHostel, Michigan Botanical Society, MSU Geology Alumni, and local Audubon groups. Chad and Mary joined Nativity Episcopal Church, singing in the choir; they also sang with Christ Church (Grosse Pointe) Chorale, and in Gilbert & Sullivan productions with Grosse Pointe Theatre.

Along with his best friend Clarence Bennett, Chad worked on construction of the International Velodrome at Bloomer Park; served on the Auburn Hills TIFA Board; assisted in refurbishing the WWII Mom’s Memorial in downtown Auburn Hills; and participated in more than one hair-brained back yard technical projects. Chad also was a member of the Auburn Hills Historical Society, served on the Board of Community Media Network,  volunteered at the Stage Nature Center, and worked door-to-door during several local political campaigns. After retiring from professional IT work, Chad continued his interest in the developing internet, new computer languages, and advances in chip architecture - and built several desktop computers for his own use.

Chad’s friends and family will always remember his wonderful smile, and his great stories – many of which were sincere appreciations of  those folks whose character and interests had inspired his own. And the ability to discourse intelligently for at least five minutes on any arcane topic that arose at church coffee hour. “And he gave the best Christmas presents!”

The slow progression of dementia gradually curtailed Chad’s participation in many of the activities that he loved, though he continued to enjoy being around music, people, and conversation. His wonderful Visiting Angels caregivers Holly, Tracy, and Rose kept him alert and engaged, reading newspaper and magazine articles to him. Chad spent the last few months of his life in the loving care of The Courtyard at Auburn Hills.  

He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary (nee Walter) Creager, as well as his sisters-in-law, Marjean Creager and Martha Walter Cornell (Bill). He was predeceased by his brother, Rowe Edwards Creager, and his parents, William Truett Creager and Elizabeth Freeman Creager.

A memorial visitation will be held at Pixley Funeral Home, located at 3530 Auburn Rd., Auburn Hills, Michigan, 48326. The visitation is scheduled for November 19, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. There will be a memorial service for Chad at Nativity Episcopal Church in Spring 2026.

Memorial donations in Chad's name can be made to Stage Nature Center, in Troy, Michigan.