Earl William Creel Jr was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He left this world on June 1, 2021 at an age of 88, after succumbing to injuries he sustained due to a fall in late April.

He was born to Earl and Gertrude Creel of Neodesha, KS in 1932. As a boy growing up in a small town in southeastern Kansas, he was a good student who was enthusiastic about learning and excelled in math and science. He also enjoyed fishing and hunting with his bird dog "Queenie." Along the way he developed a life-long interest in woodworking through experiences gained working in a local Neodesha cabinet shop. His passion for the craft continued throughout his life, and he willingly shared his abilities and knowledge with everyone, especially his son, Emil, who together he worked with on many custom furniture and cabinet projects over the years.

After high school, Earl joined the Army National Guard so he could qualify for the GI Bill that would eventually pay for his college education. As he was about to finish his second year at Independence Community College, his National guard unit was called up as part of troop readiness for the Korean War conflict, which put his academic pursuits on hold for two years. He returned to Independence to finish his last semester of general engineering curriculum and then attended Kansas State College where he earned a BS degree in Electrical Engineering in 1956.

Earl married Marilyn Reynolds in August 1956 and together moved to Parsons, KS where he began a new job as a power system engineer for Kansas Gas and Electric Company. During their time in Parsons, the newlyweds added two sons to the family, Emil and Wesley. After seven years, the family moved to Wichita, KS, where Earl was to manage the KG&E Central Maintenance crew that kept all the area electric power plants operating. After a few years leading Central Maintenance he was then named Plant Superintendent for the Gordan Evans Electric Generating Station, which at the time was the largest electric steam generating plant in the state.

Two years after moving to Wichita, Earl designed the house he built and then lived in the rest of his 55 years. As general contractor for the family residence, he did much of the work himself including all the interior cabinets and woodworking. The house design included a full basement, half of which became Earl's workshop which was well equipped with all the essential woodworking tools needed to produce countless project outcomes over the subsequent years.

In his later professional life, Earl served as the quality assurance director for the construction of the Wolf Creek Nuclear power plant at Burlington, KS. In this role he traveled around the country to engage countless technical meetings with government and contractor representatives that were required to advance progress on the Wolf Creek project. He retired from KG&E in May of 1992, at the age of 60, having served 36 years for KG&E; and vowing to never get on an airplane again. He remained faithful to that vow. In retirement he took on many projects; some for himself, but most of them were for others in the extended family and his circle of friends, which continued to grow over the decades.

In his later years, Earl was well known throughout the neighborhood because of the frequent walks he took with his beloved dog "Scooter." He developed many close friendships as a result and Earl credited these walks with providing him incentive to exercise that added at least 10 years to his life. In his final days, his biggest goal was to get home from the hospital so he could see his best friend Scooter – which he did.

At the time his passing, Earl was in home hospice care, which was lovingly provided by his very good friends and neighbors Joy and David Hansen. The Hansens made sure that Earl was comfortable in his final days and were present along with family members when he passed over to his heavenly home to be with God.  Earl loved Joy and David like his own children and referred to Joy as "his angel." The family is eternally grateful for their love, care, and compassion during his final weeks.

Earl was preceded in death by his father Earl William Creel Sr, his mother Gertrude Creel, and sister Lois Creel Albright.  Loved ones that will miss Earl until they meet again are his wife Marilyn of almost 65 years; his son and daughter-in-law Earl Emil and Estella Creel; his son and daughter-in-law Wesley William and Roma Lee Creel; his grandchildren Kandace, Adam, Kelcie, and Kynsey Creel; and his great-grandchildren Penelope and Christian Creel.

Celebration of Life Service 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Saturday, June 5, 2021 at Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church, 1600 W. 27th St. N., Wichita, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S. Market, Wichita, Kansas 67202 and the Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church, 1600 W. 27th St N., Wichita, KS 67204.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.bakerfhvc.com