Frank Creath

Our beloved husband, father, brother, PaPoo and uncle Frank Creath left his earthly bounds on Sunday, June 15, 2008. He graduated to glory to be with his Lord and Savior. Frank had recently been re-elected to his fourth term as Smith County Precinct 2 Constable. Frank was born in Amarillo, Texas to James Frank and Opal Corbitt Creath on December 2, 1941, five days before the attack on Pearl Harbor. His mother once quipped he was “trying to beat the Japanese.” The family moved back to East Texas during World War II, and it is there that Frank became known to everyone as “Peewee” because of his slight build as a child. Growing up a country boy on the old family farm, Peewee was a master of mischief and was forever bringing home small animals and reptiles he rescued and kept in his closet. It was here in this rural setting that Frank honed his slightly sarcastic sense of humor on his two younger sisters and two older brothers. After graduating from Glover High School in 1959 and attending Stephen F. Austin State College, he moved on to Houston and began a career in the automotive repair industry. While in Houston, Frank married Carolyn, now his wife of 45 years. Houston was the birthplace of Frank and Carolyn's two boys, Greg and Christopher. His automotive repair career eventually brought him and his growing family to Tyler in 1968. After working for various auto dealerships as a mechanic and repair shop manager, he started his own automotive repair business, Front Street Tire & Service. Soon afterwards, in 1972 his daughter Tiffany was a welcomed addition to the family. The move to Tyler started two formative events which occurred in short order. First, in the late 1960s Frank became involved in the Tyler Police Department's Reserve Unit and served with them for many years. It was also during this time that his youngest son, Christopher, suffered a tragic accident. This loss spurred Frank to refocus his life into serving not only his family, but his community as a whole. In 1996 Frank ran for, and was elected to the position of Smith County Precinct 2 Constable. Since that first victory, he enjoyed three more successful elections, the latest in March of this year. Frank would be the first to tell you he had the perfect job ~ he absolutely loved his position as Precinct 2 Constable. While Constable, Frank continued his law enforcement training, eventually receiving his Master Peace Officer Certification and served over 39 years in law enforcement. He was also awarded endorsements by the East Texas Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 51, and Tyler Patrolman Association. He also provided volunteer services to the community through the MDA Jailathon, Special Olympics, Susan Komen Breast Cancer Run, Rose Parade, Beauty and the Beast Bike Race, City of Bullard parades, and many other non-profit organizations. Frank's priority was to lend a hand when called upon to serve the community. In addition to his community service, he provided security at the High Caliber Gun and Knife Show. Frank called Teaselville his home. It was here on their beloved “little farm” that he and Carolyn relished in their hobby of raising cows and watching their grandchildren grow up. Frank was preceded in death by his parents, James and Opal Creath, and his son, Christopher Lee Creath. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Carolyn Creath of Flint; a son, Greg Creath and his wife, Mary, of Whitehouse; a daughter, Tiffany and her husband, Zach Riddlesperger, also of Whitehouse; five grandchildren, Mary Helen Creath, Foster Creath, Amanda Creath, Zane Riddlesperger, and Caleb Riddlesperger; a brother, J.C. Creath and his wife, Andrea, of Houston; two sisters, Ann Curry and her husband, Virgil, of Flint, and Mary Julian and her husband, Ralph, of Asheville, N.C.; and several nieces and nephews. Services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., June 18th at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville in Tyler with Bro. Ron Moore officiating. Burial will follow in Cathedral in the Pines Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Gary Middleton, Pat Hendrix, Glenn Potter, Chris Draffkorn, Jeff Hall, and David Peddy. Honorary Pallbearers will be doctors and staff of East Texas Medical Center Cancer Center, Steven Curry, Damon Creath, Aja Julian, Jackie Creath, Tyler Police Department, Smith County Sherriff’s Department, Smith County Constables’ Offices. If desired, memorials may be made to Light the Night at www.lightthenight.org or 866-812-WALK or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, North Texas Chapter, 8111 LBJ Freeway, Suite 425, Dallas, Texas 757251, www.Leukemia-lymphoma.org or 800-955-4572.

Frank Creath

December 2, 1941 - June 15, 2008