LOUIS E. CREECH
April 16, 1936-Oct. 8, 2008
SNOW HILL -- Louis Emerson Creech, 72, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008, at Pitt Memorial Hospital in Greenville.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, at the chapel of Taylor-Tyson Funeral Service, with the Rev. Don Mason officiating. Interment followed at the Mewborn Family Cemetery.
A native of Greene County, he was born April 16, 1936, the son of Jesse Wyatt Creech and Eliza Emerson Creech, the youngest of their nine children. Louis graduated from Hookerton High School in 1955 and was voted "Wittiest" of his senior class and known as "Stach" in reference to his mustache at the time.
He was self-employed as a farmer for a few years and along with his wife, Frances, started a used farm machinery business (Creech's Used Farm Machinery) in the early 1970s. He continued working until his recent illness. He was a trader by heart and profession. He scouted for farm equipment deals at country auctions and was known by work competitors and customers as being a fair and honest man.
Louis was always on the go looking for the next deal and was often seen in different counties searching for more equipment to buy and resell. He was known as the "Junk Man" all over North Carolina and had 20 acres of parts and equipment on his home property. Louis assisted customers seven days a week from early in the morning to late at night, if needed. If a customer couldn't find a part at Louis' business, then it usually couldn't be found anywhere else.
He was something of a philosopher discussing everything from politics, economics and the state of the American work ethic. He was often seen in his overalls and work boots not caring about the latest fashion trends or dressing to impress. He was at ease with everyone and would talk to everyone, strangers included. He enjoyed teasing everyone, especially children.
Louis loved his family, work, land, old westerns, country and bluegrass music. He was not impressed with new cars, clothes and houses. After his home was damaged by a tornado in 1984, he cut down poplar trees from his own land for his new home's construction. He also designed the house, and helped build it along with his wife, children and brother, George. He was a "hands on" man and liked things done his way. He loved to give advice and would give lots of it.
A do-it-yourselfer, he tried to be self-reliant, having a garden and a variety of farm animals such as chickens, goats and cows. He had land interest in North Carolina and South America and did his best to provide for his family, and his love for them showed. Louis' life was best summarized by the words of Robert Frost: "Two roads diverged into the wood, and I took the road least traveled by and it has made all the difference."
Louis is survived by his wife of 43 years, Frances C. Creech; his four children, Rebecca Creech Chahid and husband, Ali, of Greenville, Frances Louise Creech Price and husband, Walter, of Nashville, N.C., Samson Louis Creech and Jeffrey Emerson Creech, both of Snow Hill; his grandchildren, Zachary Chahid, Adam Chahid, Nadia Chahid and Lindsey Price; sisters, Ella C. Poole of Florida and Barbara C. Rabhan of Kinston; and brothers, George Creech of Institute and Ralph Lindley Creech of Greensboro.
In addition to his parents, Louis was preceded in death by his brothers, Charles Frederick Creech (infant), John Preston Creech, Jesse Wyatt Creech Jr.; and a sister, Evelyn Josephine White.
The family received friends on Saturday from 1 to 1:45 p.m. at the funeral home prior to the service and other times at the residence, 2428 Grays Mill Road, Snow Hill, N.C.
For those desiring, memorials may be made to Samaritan's Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, N.C. 28607, or the American Cancer Society, 930 Wellness Drive, Greenville, NC 27834.
Arrangements by Taylor-Tyson Funeral Service.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on October 12, 2008 1:28 PM