James Ray Creech

James Ray Creech

James Ray Creech, husband, father and friend died peacefully October 24, 2006, in Eureka. Jim was born April 19, 1933, in Caldwell, Idaho, to parents Cornelia Gross and William Jesse Creech. Jim’s mother passed away during his birth. After Jim’s dad passed away when he was 13 years old, he moved in with his sister Ethel and her husband Dean Doty, where he worked with his brother-in-law to test the butter fat of dairy cows, and eventually met his wife to be, Charlotte.

Jim loved baseball, riding motorcycles, hunting, fishing, singing old songs, and socializing with friends. His marriage to Charlotte began over 53 years ago, when he was nineteen and they got married on her 17th birthday. As her guardian, Jim signed her report cards for the remainder of her Senior year. After Charlotte graduated, the newlyweds packed everything up and headed to Oregon for a logging job that was supposed to start ‘When the Rains quit’. The rains didn’t quit so the newlyweds headed south to Oakdale to work at another lumber company, and eventually they moved to the Southern California area, where they simply couldn’t remain because of the lack of hunting! They packed up again and headed north looking for work, hunting and fishing all in one place, and found that perfect location in Humboldt County.

In 1957 Jim and Charlotte welcomed their first son, Skip, second son Dave followed in 1960. The Creech family settled into life in Humboldt County enjoying all that is wonderful in our area. Their typical weekends included riding motorcycles, hiking, hunting and fishing. The family also raced motocross extensively throughout their younger and older years.

Jim found work with Halvorsen Lumber Mills and Sweet’s Texaco station during the mill layoffs. At the gas station Jim began working in the repair shop, thus beginning his lifelong career of working with automobiles. Jim began the autobody apprenticeship program at Dayton Murray Body Shop in the early 60s. Jim stayed with Dayton Murray until 1978 when he and Afton Hogan opened the doors for Quality Body Works.

Jim and Charlotte were very supportive of their sons. They rarely missed a motocross race or football game, and in fact in many cases, would be one of the few parents sitting in the stands at an away game during some of our Humboldt County typhoons.

Grandchildren have continued the Creech motocross and sports tradition and Jim and Charlotte eventually moved into the ‘Fan Club’ role during grandsons Dana and Ross’s motocross and sports events. Granddaughters Carli and Morgan also had top billing with Grandpa Jim and Grandma CharChar’s time with their cheerleading and singing events.

In 1986 Jim, Skip and Dave became the sole owners of Quality Body works. Skip and Dave had learned much over the years from their parents, and continue to learn even to this day.

In 1991 Jim and Charlotte officially retired from Quality Body Works to travel the country in their motorhome with a small bass boat and little car in tow on a double decker trailer that Jim built. They spent many weeks fishing at their favorite lakes. Jim also had a hunting lodge at Tule Lake where he enjoyed many trips to duck hunting, and hanging out with Delmer Kyle, Afton Hogan, Rick Waibel, and Rich Moranda and other good friends.

Jim enjoyed traveling to Motocross events and helping Skip mechanic for his grandson Dana’s events following a National Motocross Circuit.

He and Charlotte have many friends that were part of the unofficial “Ember’s Club” where they could be found nearly any night of the week having dinner and socializing.

Over the last few years, Jim has battled Alzheimer’s and eventually lost his life to complications of the disease.

Jim is survived by his wife, Charlotte; son, Skip and his wife Teresa; son, Dave and his wife Jill; grandchildren, Dana, Carli, Ross and Morgan; his sister, Ethel and her husband Don; his brother-in-law, Don Jones; and many much loved nieces and nephews. He also is survived by many, many friends that he has shared good times with for many years.

Jim was preceded in death by his beloved sister, Edith Jones; his much loved brother-in-law, Dean Doty; sister, Lena; and brother, Lynn.

Special thanks to Sue Scott, Libby Griffith, Karen Steele and Kay Walker and Sophie Constable for all their help in making life comfortable in the past few months.

Services are scheduled Saturday, October 28 at 1:00 at Sanders Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Humboldt Senior Resource Center’s New Alzheimer’s Center, 1910 California Street, Eureka, CA 95501.

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