Wellington Daily News
Wellington, Kansas
November 26, 2010

Conway Springs — Kerry M. CREED, 82, formerly of Conway Springs, died Tuesday, November 23, 2010 at the Aurora House, Weslaco, Texas.

He was born October 5, 1928 on a farm northeast of Anson, Kansas to Wiley Austin CREED and Dollie Louise HARE CREED. Kerry attended the Anson school for three years before moving with his family to Latham, Kansas. Three years later they returned to the Anson area and Kerry attended the Spencer Hill country school and Conway Springs public schools. He graduated from Conway Springs High School with the class of 1947.

Kerry began working on the railroad following graduation. He also worked in construction and assisted in building the new Conway Springs School.

Kerry was united in marriage to Kathleen Grace HOCK on May 29, 1949 at Argonia, Kansas. They made their first home a farm South of Conway Springs following their marriage.

In the early 1950's, Kerry drove and later purchased a milk truck business. He soon bought a farm 7 ˝ miles West of Conway Springs in 1957 where he and Kathleen dairyed for the next 6 years.

Kerry and Kathleen started a Conoco service station in 1963 at 5th St. and Wichita in Conway Springs. He moved the station to 5th and Parallel two years later and it became known as "Kerry's Champlin." In 1967, Kerry and Kathleen built a new service station at 5th and Spring Ave. and eventually built a new café to the north in 1973. Kerry's oldest son, Kent, took over the family business in the fall of 1974 and Kerry and Kathleen moved to Nocona, Texas. They opened another service station and started working for a local ranch. They soon moved to Norman, Oklahoma and managed a horse farm for the next five years before managing a quarter horse farm at Lubbock, Texas. They retired in 1994 to Paul's Valley, Oklahoma where they were very active in community and the First Baptist Church.

Kerry did carpentry work for the church and played his guitar and sang at various nursing homes and senior centers in the area.

The CREEDS then went to Raton, New Mexico, to manage a hotel for 6 months, before moving to Lexington, Kentucky on October 12, 2000 where they managed a thoroughbred horse farm.

Kathleen passed away on September 4, 2001. Kerry moved to Elmore City, Oklahoma in October following her death.

Kerry later reconnected with friends from times past and headed south to Donna, Texas where he became a "Winter Texan." While playing music with his friends at a local "Winter Texan" park, Kerry met Muriel WARD who shared his interest in music and the "Winter Texan" life. They purchased a summer home in Tingley, Iowa where Kerry participated in local jams with his many new music-loving friends. Every fall, they traveled back to Donna, Texas to be with their "Winter Texan" family.

Kerry was a member of the First Baptist Church, Paul's Valley, Oklahoma. He was formerly an active member of the Conway Springs Chamber of Commerce and was an instigator in 1973 of the first Community Day celebration and chamber of commerce BBQ, eventually evolving into the Annual Fall Festival Celebration in Conway Springs.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters: Flora STANDRIDGE and Mary Louise WARREN.

Kerry is survived by Muriel and his children: Kent CREED of Des Moines, Iowa; Krista RUARK of Cardiff, Wales; Kelly CREED of Ada, Oklahoma; Kevin CREED of Muenster, Texas; six brothers: Eliga CREED and Fred CREED both of Conway Springs, Kansas; Holland CREED and Daniel CREED both of Wellington, Kansas; Wiley CREED, Jr. of Post Falls, Idaho; William CREED of Afton, Oklahoma; two sisters: Emma RIGGS of Kingsville, Missouri; Necia BILSON of Conway Springs, Kansas; 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 30, 2010 from the United Methodist Church, Conway Springs, Kansas with the Rev. Michael Roberts, and Dave Ruark, officiating. Interment will be in Milan Cemetery, Milan, Kansas. Arrangements are by Ebersole Mortuary, Conway Springs, Kansas. On line condolences and guest book available at www.ebersolemortuary. com.

Memorial has been established with the Aurora House Foundation, Wesleco, Texas.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, July of 2011

A - B OBITUARIES INDEX         C OBITUARIES INDEX              D OBITUARIES INDEX
E - F - G OBITUARIES INDEX    H - I - J OBITUARIES INDEX      K - L OBITUARIES INDEX
M OBITUARIES INDEX              N - O - P OBITUARIES INDEX    Q - R OBITUARIES INDEX
S - T OBITUARIES INDEX          U - V - W OBITUARIES INDEX   X - Y - Z OBITUARIES INDEX