Paul J. Creek

Paul J. Creek

October 27, 1918, to August 15, 2021

Our beloved father joined our mother in Heaven on August 15, 2021. He will be sorely missed.

Paul Joseph Creek was born on October 27, 1918, in Billings, Montana, to Joseph D. Creek and Cora E. Shaw Creek, who ranched near Hysham, Montana.

He began school at Bone Coulee School northwest of Myers, Montana; transferred to Hysham in 1927; and graduated from Hysham High School in 1936. He lived on the Creek ranch until enlisting in the Army on April 8, 1941. He went to Fort Ord, California; then to Phoenix, Arizona; and served in one of the last horse-drawn field artillery units in the Army. In April of 1941, he was sent from California to Adak in the Aleutian Islands, where he was an instrument corporal, later serving at the fire direction center.

In 1943, Paul was sent to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, to go to Officer Candidate School, graduating as a 2nd Lt. on September 16, 1943. He was then sent to Camp Rucker, Alabama; then to Camp Chaffe, Arkansas, as an Asst. Comm. Officer in a cadre. From there, he was shipped to England, France, and Germany, where he was in combat across Germany, serving as an assistant communications officer and forward observer. He was promoted to 1st Lt. in 1945.

Paul returned to the United States in October of 1945 and was discharged December 14, 1945. He managed the Creek ranch near Hysham in 1946; worked on ranches for two years; rented a farm northeast of Custer for three years; and bought a farm on the Billings Bench in 1952 and lived there for 40 years, where he raised his family.

Paul married Alice Elen “Elen” Johanson on May 24, 1943, when he traveled through Montana on his way from Adak to assignment at Fort Sill. Elen preceded Paul in death on October 27, 1980. Paul and Elen had six children: Jerry (Sharon) Creek, Janet (Bill) Ralph, Marilyn (Dave) Pattee, Marsha Brown, Kermit (Sherry) Creek, and Korbin (Leslie) Creek. Paul later married Rosella Johanson, who preceded him in death in 1985. He then married Magdalena “Maggie” Grammens on September 5, 1985. Paul is survived by his wife, Maggie; his six children; many grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Paul was a member of the American Legion, Masonic Lodge 394; a former member of the Pryor Creek Golf Club; and Big Sky Polka Club. He served as a school trustee, 4-H leader; ditch board director and A.S.C.S. county committeeman.

Paul enjoyed fishing, playing cards, dancing, golfing, and the company of family and friends. He especially enjoyed the friendship of Rosella’s son, Clair, and Maggie’s children, Ron, Randy, Gerry, and David.

The family extends its deep, heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers at Pearl Gardens, the Memory Care Unit of Westpark Village. Their boundless kindness and respect shown to our father is appreciated far more than we can ever express.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 19, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Ave.  A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20, at Custer Cemetery. Masks are requested.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his name to the Ronald McDonald House, Meals on Wheels, or the charity of your choice.