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CRESTON FUNK Obituary
Creston "Mister" Henry Funk, Jr., 76, died peacefully on June 28, 2020 in Playa Vista, California. A San Antonio native, he lived in Austin from 2002 to 2015, when he relocated to the Los Angeles area to be near his son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter.
Preceded in death by his parents, Virginia Mae Lott Funk and Creston Henry Funk, Sr., and his son-in-law George O. Jackson Waters, he will be lovingly remembered by his daughter Cynthia F. Joseph (David), son Creston H. Funk, III (Cristina), granddaughter Natasha Funk, and grand-dogs Kasper and Siggie. Creston is also survived by his sister Annie Mae F. Carrington, nieces and nephews Virginia H. Yoakum (John), Edward W. Holland (Clare), Carolyn H. Labatt (Joe), Robert Carlson, Richard Carlson (Madelaine), brother-in-law John Carlson (Anne), former wife Carol C. Hardy (Rob), and several great and great-great nieces and nephews.
Creston grew up next door to the Olmos Park Fire Station. As a boy, when the alarm sounded, he would run across the street and ride on the truck with the firemen. (Coincidentally, he lived next door to the Playa Vista Fire Station for his last 5 years and he still loved hearing the sirens.) He attended TMI, UT Austin, and Abilene Christian College. While at UT, he joined Chi Phi, his father's fraternity. Married in 1964, Creston and Carol had two children and raised them together. They later divorced.
Creston enjoyed several careers, and a highlight was working for the late Bill Case at his audio store on Broadway in San Antonio, where he met Mark Heaston, with whom he opened Concert Sound, a hi-fidelity audio shop, in 1981 (later Austin Hi-Fi.)
Creston shared his lifelong love of photography, music, art, and dogs with his kids. Thrilled by cars, trains, UFOs and fireworks, he was fascinated by how things worked. Creston got a kick out of keeping fit: whether taking ballet classes (he proudly danced the role of the Mouse King in Incarnate Word College's production of The Nutcracker), swimming, water skiing, sailboarding, or sculling on Lady Bird Lake. When Creston cared passionately about something, he never missed an opportunity to share it with others.
Creston was cremated at Hollywood Forever in Los Angeles, and he will be interred next to his mother at Glendale Cemetery in Goliad, Texas. When conditions allow, the family plans to gather in San Antonio to celebrate Creston's life.
Special thanks to Creston's lifelong friend Mark Heaston for putting up with Creston for so many years.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for CRESTON FUNK
Chip Chilton
April 17, 2024
"I will not grieve for things that end for nothing ends. Time follows its scheduled path and turns a corner like beams of light that water bends but never breaks."
------ Mary Connell
Eh friend?
Dr. Chip Chilton
Mike and Cat
April 24, 2023
So glad to have met Creston. He raised a lovely daughter
Paul Stephenson
January 5, 2023
Creston I will never forget the times we spent together in the world of audio, I learnt so much about life from you my friend . R.I.P Paul Stephenson former CEO NAIM AUDIO UK
Helena G. Rice
June 10, 2021
Creston Funk was one of a kind, brilliant and funny always curious and passionate about all things good in life. He was a man who had a great impact on me in my teenage years. Cynthia and Creston, I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Your dad was simply the coolest ever and I will keep him in my memories. My heart goes out to you and your families and hope that your grief can be lightened by the tremendous love your dad had for you both, that is forever.
Jennifer Barrow
April 18, 2021
I know Creston Through Cynthia Funk Joseph and her brother Creston. Like them, he was a cool cat. It’s easy to see why they are so current and fashionable in every way . Mister will be missed by many here in Texas and LA I am sure. He was the definition of a cool dad and a super nice man. He always had the best music playing wherever he was and he was so young at heat. Although he moved from Texas many years ago. I will miss him. RiP Friend. Until later, Jennifer Williams Barrow S.A. Texas. 2021
Anonymous
December 26, 2020
I met Creston when I was 19 years old and was only around him from a brief moment of time - but he had a profound impact on me. He just oozed cool and was so cultured. I remember thinking this was the type of man I hoped to grow up to be. Everything was so purposeful and thought out, he had a quiet elegance that would fill the room and an intense passion for life. I only found that he had passed when I was reminded of him because of a paint color he once told me about - and googled to see what he was up to. He will be missed by more people than he knew.
December 26, 2020
I met Creston when I was 19 years old and was only around him from a brief moment of time - but he had a profound impact on me. He just oozed cool and was so cultured. I remember thinking this was the type of man I hoped to grow up to be. Everything was so purposeful and thought out, he had a quiet elegance that would fill the room and an intense passion for life. I only found that he had passed when I was reminded of him because of a paint color he once told me about - and googled to see what he was up to. He will be missed by more people than he knew.
MIKE Sullivan
October 1, 2020
What a guy!
I met Creston at our rowing dock, Texas Rowing.
We began drinking a lot of coffee At WholeFoods, and talking among our group about everything. Since we were at WhoFo anyway it was often about food. That’s where I heard my favorite Creston Funk quote “When you think about it, isn’t it ALL Sea Salt?”
I believe it is, as we all shall be.
MIKE Sullivan
Gordon Fowler
October 1, 2020
He was a very good man. Interesting in so many ways. we will miss his wit and knowledge.
Rebecca May
October 1, 2020
So sorry to learn Creston passed. He was such an interesting, entertaining friend. Got to visit him once in LA.
Would like to attend his celebration when you all are able to do so.
Rebecca -
Gary Krakoe
August 6, 2020
So sorry to hear about Creston's passing. I will miss him.
Gil Guerrero
August 2, 2020
What an extraordinary, unique, and fascinating soul. I am so saddened to hear of his passing. I spent so many wonderful hours talking about hi-fi, life, the universe, and everything with him. I wish peace to his family and loved ones. He will be profoundly missed.
July 31, 2020
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Corie Wetz
July 29, 2020
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Madeleine Bartholomew
July 28, 2020
Always taking an artistic and surprisingly unique view of life, I remember when he turned a vintage chicken coop into a charming guesthouse in Castroville.
Peg Armstrong
July 28, 2020
ALWAYS interesting!
Judith Gani
July 26, 2020
I was one of Creston's ballet teachers and a recipient of his generosity, wit, and passion for knowledge. I have fond memories of LISTENING at Concert Sound with him and Mark. I am very sorry to hear that he is gone. God speed, Creston!
Gabrielle Marcus
July 26, 2020
My mom and brother and I knew him since I think the late 70s. He and his family, and Mark, and Concert Sound—-were a consistent, stable presence during some very nomadic early years. Creston showed up for our family at very important times, in very big ways.
His minimalism was so appealing to me and as I got older I think it influenced me a lot. So I was surprised when I was in high school and he and my mom and I were talking in the garden behind his house on Primera. I don’t know what we were talking about, but I said something about how I preferred to be subtle. I don’t know what I meant but he said, “I used to be subtle but [quick pause] there’s no future in it.” He laughed. I think of that line so often. His attention to detail—in sound and style—seemed all kinds of subtle to me.
He was so funny...I think around that same time when I admired his very spare decor on Primera—a perfect lamp, a perfect table—he said he only had so little furniture because he was lazy.
Brad you are so right, he spoke very respectfully to kids—I hadn’t put it that way to myself but it’s true.
Growing up I fully idolized his amazing kids who were so their own people....Cynthia was my favorite babysitter and when I was about 7 I named my bike after her. Such kind, inspired people.
The stop-all-time-we-must-listen-to-this-new-sound-system, and-also-this-music, but-especially-this-music-on-this-new-sound-system.
The dogs.
The ballet.
The dogs.
The passion for excellence.
The dogs.
Wishing his family and loved ones SO MUCH the best as you and we remember him.
Peg Armstrong
July 26, 2020
I was the recipient of much he was passionate about, as were so many. He shared it all with such exuberance. He was a gift to me.
stephen moreno
July 26, 2020
Rest in peace Mr. Funk. I never met you but, I was friends with your son Creston III. To Creston III, sorry for your loss.
Bradford L Heaston
July 26, 2020
I've never met anybody remotely like Creston. When I first met him, I asked him how he spelled his last name, and he gave his stock answer: "Very carefully". I used to visit the hi-fi shop where he and my brother worked, and just shoot the breeze. Even though I was a little twerp when we first met, he alsways spoke to me with respect.
He had, without a doubt, the oddest, most off-beat, and most enjoyable sense of humor of anybody I have ever met. He was a person I always looked forward to visiting.
I am sorry to know that he is gone. Fare thee well, Creston, wherever you go!
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