David (Dave) was born September 28, 1935 in Abbeville, Alabama the son of Shelby Homer Creel and Mary Ila Skeen Creel. He grew up in Henry County, Alabama. He was of the Baptist faith. At the age of 18, he joined the U.S. Army and served from March 25, 1954 to March 22, 1957. Shortly after returning home from the army, he moved to the Central Florida area where he at first lived with relatives. He moved to Orlando where he was married and had two children. He worked as a long distance truck driver for various companies including Gordon Truck Leasing, Montgomery Ward, and Bowman Transportation. He eventually moved to Jacksonville, FL where he drove for Old Dominion Freight Line until retirement.
He loved living in Jacksonville in the Riverside Avondale area right on the St. Johns River. In 2016, after 30 years in Jacksonville, he moved back to the Orlando area to live close to his family at the age of 80.
He loved collecting watches, spending time with his friends at the flea markets and loved his sports too, especially college football. Favorites being Alabama Crimson Tide and Florida Gators. He was always wearing a collegiate cap or collegiate polo shirt on game day! Huge Nascar fan too! He was a big fan of older country music including Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, and others. Loved John Wayne and Paul Newman movies on television. He enjoyed walking everywhere, walking 2-3 times a day. He always appeared younger than his age and had great strength of spirit. He loved to joke and even expressed his humor at times during his illness. He was courageous in his fight against cancer and passed peacefully.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Linda Sue Creel, and three brothers, Oneal Creel, Billy W. Creel, and Homer M. Creel. He is survived by his daughter Lisa Ann Creel Morris and spouse, Lonnie, Oviedo, FL; his son, Michael David Creel, Orlando, FL.; his sister, Louann Watkins, Alabama; his three brothers, Grady Creel, Ronnie Creel, and Joe Fred Creel, Alabama; and his grandson, Michael A. Morris, Winter Springs, FL.
A graveside service with military honors for David will be held Thursday, May 12, 2022 from 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM at Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32218.
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