Franklin Underwood "Frank" Creech

Franklin Underwood "Frank" Creech, artist and teacher, was born in Smithfield, NC in 1941. He was the son of the late Durward and Emma Pearce Creech. He earned his B.A. from Duke University and M.S. from Florida State University. He served as Art Department Chair at Gaston College and Johnston Community College.
Frank, a former Johnston County "Citizen of the Year" and Smithfield town councilman, was a member of the Johnston County Arts Council and Ava Garner Museum. He was serving as President of the Smithfield Kiwanis Club for the year 06-07. Some of his artwork is included in private and public collections and in museums throughout the US. Many of Frank's cast bronze and aluminum sculptures are displayed on the campuses of Duke, Yale, Delaware, Penn State and Francis Marion Universities. Other public commissioned works include "The Story Teller" at the Gaston County Public Library and "The Reader" at the Public Library of Johnston County. His most recent work, "The Rescue" is at the entrance of the Paul A. Johnson Auditorium at Johnston Community College. Frank was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor Mike Easley in 2005.
The funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday at the First Baptist Church of Smithfield. The burial will follow at the Riverside Cemetery.
Surviving are his wife, Kay Bridgers Creech; son, Franklin Underwood Creech, II and wife, Sherri Thompson of Clayton; daughter, Georgeanna Creech West and husband, Jeffrey Michael of Wilmington; brother, Joe Durward Creech and wife, Ann Hadley of Roswell, GA; and two granddaughters, Emma Kayla Creech and Olivia Katherine Creech.
The family will receive friends from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Monday at the First Baptist Church.
Underwood Funeral Home is assisting the family.