Online Source: http://www.franklinsun.com/news.php?id=1300
Extracted from the Franklin Sun (Winnsboro, LA)
Douglas Ray Creel
Douglas Ray Creel, Placerville, Calif., March, 31, 1937-Aug. 24, 2008. Airman, husband, father and friend, passed away quietly and with dignity in his sleep.
Born the second son of a Louisiana share cropper, he traveled the world in the service of his country and fellow man. He was a 37 year veteran of the United States Air Force, a decorated Air Commando, with 17 Air Medals for service in Viet Nam as a flight engineer on C-123 (Provider) aircraft.
He continued his world travels on the C-118 (Liftmaster) in Wiesbaden Germany during the Mid-1960's, putting him in the company of diplomats, chancellors, and a future president of the United States, flying Special Air Missions (SMA). He was a member of SAM 33273 which flew around-the-world in 16 days; to this date he is the only member of his family known to have done that.
He left active service in 1971, but soon joined the Air Force Reserve to pursue his greatest service as member of the 307th Red Horse Squadron at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. As the Superintendent of Airfields and Project Officer he traveled extensively throughout Central America and the Caribbean building schools, water wells, and hospitals as an ambassador of the United States improving the quality of life for those he served.
In 1996 he retired as a Senior Master Sergeant but continued his service as a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars culminating as the State Commander for Nevada in 2002-2003. He was a hard working advocate of veteran's rights and benefits. He had only two loves in his lifetime. First was Jeannine (Butch), wife of 34 years and mother of his three children. Second was Beverly-Jo who stood beside him for 15 years and was at his side when he died.
Doug was preceded in death by Jeannine in 1991, his brother Cecil in 1999, and his sister Katherine Bixler in 1976 [sic 1975].
He is survived by his wife Beverly-Jo; sons Anthony (Jo Ann) and Bruce; daughter Nora Cantrell (Randy Hewitt fiancee); five grandchildren, Jason, Scott, Brandon, Clay-Michael and Reece; sisters, Thelma Livingston, Victorine Smith, and Joyce Black; nephews, nieces, grand-nephews and grand-nieces.
His memorial service and interment, with full military honors, will be held on September 6, 2008 at 1 p.m., at Hillcrest Memorial Cemetery in Haughton, Louisiana.
Donations in memory of Douglas Creel can be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Unmet Needs Program, c/o Gandy-Brown Post 4588, 1004 Jeter Street, Bossier City, LA 71110.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008