Lawrence Edward Creek

Lawrence Edward Creek passed on January 16, 2020 in Jonesboro, Ark. at the age of 95. He was born in Corning, Ark. on June 13, 1924 where he grew up with four siblings on the farm. He graduated from Corning High School later enrolling at the University of Arkansas in 1942 where he was soon recruited into the Air Force during World War II. He was selected to join the 7 ^th Squadron of the infamous 49 ^th Fighter Group to fly P-51 Mustang and P-38 fighter planes in the Pacific. He was credited with shooting down two and a half Japanese planes by war’s end. At the end of the war, his fighting group was selected to escort General Douglas MacArthur on his flight into Japan. Upon landing in Japan, Creek’s unit established the perimeter security shield around MacArthur’s plane. After the war, he continued his service by staying in the Air Force Reserves and retired as a Major. After the war, he returned to the South and finished his college degree at Arkansas State College followed by attending the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tenn. After graduation, he married Louise “Knott” who he had met in college and moved to Jonesboro in 1952 where he lived ever since. He served the Jonesboro area as an optometrist for over 50 years. He was an active member of Central Baptist Church of Jonesboro where he and Louise established the prayer ministry and where he was an active deacon and Sunday school teacher. After the passing of his wife in 2001, and later into his retirement years he invested his time with his grandchildren, cultivated his landscaped garden as a Master Gardener, remained actively involved in his church, and faithfully attended his Thursday men’s Bible study luncheon.

Creek was awarded the Army Occupation Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 4 Bronze Stars, The American Theater Campaign Medal, Philippines Liberation Medal, Bronze Star, The Commanding General, the Army Air Force Certification of Appreciation for War Service by the Army Air Corps and the World War II Victory Medal.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Esther Creek; wife, Louise Creek, granddaughter Rebekah King; brother, Melvin Creek, sister,  Thelma Ringer.

Survivors include daughters  Barbara Wenger (Jon) of Bella Vista, AR,  Judy King (Walt) of Jonesboro; sister Joann Wright of Memphis,Wilma Osterloh; grandchildren, Elizabeth Wenger, Annie Chandler (Chuck), Hannah King, Samuel King (Molly).

Visitation will be held at Emerson Funeral Home Chapel at 1:00 p.m. on January 20, 2020.  Service will be at 2:00 p.m. Burial will be private. Family requests that memorials be made to the Evangelical Institute School of Biblical Training, 700 N Parker Rd., Greenville, SC 29609.

Pallbearers include Lynn Erwin, Bob Gardner, Bill Brown, Chuck Chandler, Jon Wenger, Walt King, Alan Creek and Samuel King.  Honorary Pallbearers are Dr. Anthony White, Ron Fielder, Dr. Stephen Woodruff, Lonnie Talbert and Art Boudoucies.

To register online, go to www.emersonfuneralhome.com