James Creason

James Lee Creason, 87, of Iola, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, December 25, 2012, at his home. He was born on the family farm August 16, 1925, the third son of William C. and Glessie M. (Turner) Creason. He attended North Maple Grove Grade School and Iola High School. He was in the Navy from 1943 to 1946. He married Glenda June Wynn October 27, 1946. They resided in Iola until moving to California in 1952. He worked at the Alameda Naval Air Station as an electrician. Later he worked for Otis Elevator in San Francisco, CA. In 1963, they moved to Kansas City, KS to be closer to family. He was able to transfer from San Francisco to Dover Elevator in Kansas City. In 1969 they purchased a peach orchard in Kansas City, KS which they ran for 20 years. He worked for Government Services Administration as an elevator mechanic and inspector until he retired in 1987. In 1992 they moved to Tightwad, MO where they spent a lot of time fishing. They eventually returned to their hometown of Iola, KS in 1995. He spent a lot of time at the Senior Center playing his favorite card game of pitch. He and his brother Clifford cut a lot of wood as they each had fireplaces. He is survived by his wife, Glenda as well as two sons, Jim and his wife Melissa, of Iola, KS and a granddaughter, Ashley Wood of Overland Park, KS, a son Bill and his wife Jennifer and son Max Creason of Overland Park, KS and two stepchildren Michael Williams of Olathe, KS and Whitney Williams of Denver, CO. Also surviving are a sister Beverly Hefner of Mt. Grove, MO and a brother Bob Creason and his wife Jill of Paola, KS, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Family members that died earlier are three sisters, Erma Saling, Wilma Gregg and Reba Wilkins and two brothers, Clifford and Raymond Creason. VISITATION: 6:00-7:00 p.m., Fri., Dec. 28, 2012, at the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola. FUNERAL SERVICE: 11:00 a.m., Sat., Dec. 29, 2012, at First Baptist Church in Iola. BURIAL: Highland Cemetery, Iola, KS MEMORIAL CHOICES: Allen County Hospice or Iola Senior Meal Center Memorial gifts may be left with the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola, which is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences for the family may be left on this website, www.iolafuneral.com .