Ivan Eugene “Gene” Creason, 83, passed away on January 5, 2025, at his home in Checotah. He was born on July 5, 1941, in Bixby.
Gene graduated from Okmulgee High School in 1959 and pursued higher education later in life, earning a bachelor’s degree in Business from the University of Tulsa. He began his professional journey as a door-to-door insurance salesman, and later worked at J.J. Newberry traveling through Texas and Missouri (with his wife Rosie and young son Mike). In 1965, he began working at Flint Steel where he worked until his retirement in 1982. Gene’s entrepreneurial spirit also shone through in his ownership and operation of Creason & Son Tire, where his passion and work ethic left a lasting legacy.
Gene took immense pride in his family and worked tirelessly to provide for them. Known for his hardworking nature, he balanced his professional life with a rich array of hobbies that reflected his love for craftsmanship and the outdoors. His love for classic hot rods led to many adventures traveling the country with friends and family participating in various car shows throughout the 90’s winning multiple awards. One of those trips, to a National Car show in St. Paul, Minn., gained his 1939 Studebaker ‘The Peoples Choice’ award in 1994, beating out almost 14,000 other cars. Gene found joy in quail and pheasant hunting, Lichtenberg burning (wood fracking), gun repair, and, most notably, knife making-a skill he mastered with meticulous care and pride from forging the blade, cutting and shaping the handles from various materials, as well has hand making the leather sheaths. He also loved the Oklahoma Sooners and President Donald July 5, 1941 – January 5, 2025
Trump.
Gene is preceded in death by his father, Ivan “Troy” Creason; mother, Stella Creason; first wife, Rosalie Creason; son, Michael Creason; grandson, Michael Burke, and great grandson, Levi Parker.
He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Donna Creason; his daughter, Pam McCall and husband Darrel, daughter in law Lezlea Creason (Michael), bonus children; Rita Bevel (David), Peggy Easton (Chief), Dianna Jones (Norman), David Wilson (Sarah), and Steve Wilson (Rusty); his brother, Ricky Creason (Virginia); and his brother, Jerry Creason (Carla). He also leaves cherished memories with his numerous grandchildren: Whitney Creason, Kimber Kay Biaggi (Blake), Lacy Colbert (Destin), Lindsey Yates (Mitch), Katie Parker (Anthony), Mackenzzie Cook, Dallas and Dalton Mc-Call (Kattarina), William Burke (Shelley), J.J. Mangrum (Charlee), Alicia Perkins (Scott), and Shaina Jeffries (Austin). 22 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren along with many other relatives, dear friends and his little buddy Leroy.
A public viewing and visitation will be held Wednesday, January 15, 2025, from 5-7 p.m. at Schaudt’s Okmulgee Funeral Service Chapel. A funeral service to celebrate Gene’s life will take place Thursday, January 16, 2025, at 1 p.m. at Refuge Church, 1206 W 5th St. in Okmulgee, with Pastor Steve Talburt officiating. A graveside service will follow at Duck Creek Cemetery.
Honored to serve as pallbearers are Jerry Creason, Nate Fisher, Aden McCall (great grandson), Dallas Mc-Call, Dalton McCall and Steve Wilson. Daxton McCall (great-grandson) will serve as an honorary pallbearer.
Arrangements are entrusted to Schaudt Okmulgee Funeral Service & Cremation Care, 220 S. Alabama Ave. in Okmulgee. Family and friends are invited to leave kind words of comfort, special memories, and condolences online at www.schaudtfuneralservice. com.
