Jack was born August 26, 1930 in Charlotte, NC to Robert Lide Creech and Rosa Thomasson Creech. After graduating from Shelby High School, Jack enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he proudly served his country for four years. At the completion of his military service, he attended Gardner-Webb College, and later graduated from the School of Banking at the University of Virginia.

Jack began his banking career in Charlotte at NCNB, later known as Bank of America. He relocated to Shelby in 1968 to join First National Bank where he served in an executive capacity for 19 years, retiring as Vice President, and then joined First Southern Savings and Loan Association in Asheboro, NC as Vice President.

A leader in many civic and community affairs, Jack was a member of Civitan International, was named Civitan of the Year, selected Outstanding Lieutenant Governor and received the Honor Key, Civitan’s highest award. A past recipient of Shelby’s Citizen of the Year Award, he has served as president of the former Shelby Merchant’s Association and the Gardner-Webb College Alumni Association. Jack was also active with the Cleveland County Girls Club, the Shelby Parks and Recreation Commission and the Shelby Human Relations Council. He was a member of John Knox Presbyterian Church where he had served in various capacities including deacon, elder, clerk of session and trustee.

Jack loved sports as both a participant and a spectator. Over the years he played football, basketball, baseball, volleyball and enjoyed bowling.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by five brothers and two sisters. Jack is survived by his wife of 56 years, Valeria Banning Creech; sons, Robert Graham Creech and his wife Tulin of Shelby, John Allen Creech and his wife Frida of Mooresville, and daughter Karen Creech Ferree and her husband Craig of Shelby, as well as grandchildren Matthew Creech and wife  his Amber of Bremerton, WA, Beth Creech of Shelby, Clay Graham of Shelby, and Jake Graham of Boone. He is also survived by three great-grandsons and a great-granddaughter to arrive in June; two sisters, Dorothy C. Mullis of Mount Croghan, SC, Virginia C. Yates of Lincolnton, NC, and many nieces and nephews.

Jack was dearly loved by his immediate and extended family who shared many happy memories of him. We were blessed to have him as a dear husband, a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.

“His lord said unto him, `Well done, thou good and faithful servant.’ ”

Matthew 25:21 

A funeral service will be held at 3:00pm on Friday, April 1, 2011 at Shelby Presbyterian Church.  The Rev. Joe Tanner will be officiating.  Burial will follow at Sunset Cemetery in Shelby.  The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00pm on Thursday, March 31, 2011 at Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory in Shelby.

Memorials may be made to:  John Knox Presbyterian Church, 610 Charles Road, Shelby, NC 28150.

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Mr. Creech.

Guest Registry is available at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com