Russell L. Creason
Russell L. Creason, 93, of Kansas City MO died on October 4, 2014 at his home.
Russell was born on November 17, 1920 in Kearney, MO the 5th of Reed E. and Louedia (Hall) Creason's thirteen children. He and his wife, Marjorie L. Clark of Richmond, MO celebrated their 68th anniversary in August.
Additional survivors include; daughter Jean and son-in-law Jess McLendon of Kansas City, MO, grandchildren, David and (Dina) Holloway of Old Tappan, NJ, Marni Cristin and (Aaron) Dwyer of London, OH, great-grandchildren, William, Christopher, Nicholas, Matthew, Eva and Drew, brother, James Creason of Lake Havasu City, AZ, sisters, June Porter of Platte Woods, MO and Joyce Logston of Independence, MO.
Russ was a product of his generation and the depression, hard-working and honest. He was considered to be a "gentlemen's gentleman". In 1942, at 21, he was drafted into the Army Signal Corps as a Signal Intelligence Operator. After a year of training in the U.S., Russ was stationed at General Eisenhower's headquarters in North Africa
His next assignment was with the British Eighth Army that invaded Southern Italy with the Americans. For the next three years he served in Italy and France. When the European war ended, Russ was attached to the US Embassy in Rome, providing intelligence support until he was sent home in October 1945.
After the war, he returned to William Jewell to complete his education and graduated in 1947 with degrees in Philosophy and English. He began his career as an educator in 1947, teaching English, speech, drama and journalism at the Richmond High School, what he considered to be his favorite career.
In 1951 Russ became an employee of General Motors personnel department and transferred to the Detroit office in 1962. In 1966 he joined the General Motors Overseas Operations, procuring employees throughout the world. Russ counselled the President's Advisory Committee on improvement of management in government in 1971 and served on the Council of National Foreign Trade.
Russ is listed in "Who's Who Among American College and University Students". In 1973, he received the Citation for Achievement Award from William Jewell and was named Alumnus of the Year in 2005. He was a member of the North Cross United Methodist Church.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2014 at 11:00 AM at the North Cross United Methodist Church. Visitation will be Saturday, October 11, 2014 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the church. Inurnment with military graveside services will be held at a later date. On line condolences may be left on our website at www.thurmanfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Russell and Marjorie Creason Endowed Scholarship at William Jewel College, 500 College Hill, Liberty MO 64068