James Randolph Creech

James Randolph Creech, known to all as Jim, passed away peacefully at home on March 10, 2026, at the age of 85. Born on April 10, 1940, in Marlboro County, South Carolina, he spent much of his childhood in Gibson, North Carolina. He was preceded in death by his parents, J.R. Creech and Elise Quick Creech, and his sister, Shirley Creech Polston.

After graduating from Gibson High School in 1958, Jim served four years in the United States Navy aboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. He then moved to New York City, where he worked for many years with the Department of Corrections on Rikers Island, eventually retiring as Assistant Deputy Warden. While in New York, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Fordham University. In 1973, he met the love of his life, Anne, in Spring Lake, New Jersey. They married the following year and shared 51 devoted years together. After the birth of their children, they returned to North Carolina, where Jim taught criminal justice at Halifax Community College and later served as Director of Law Enforcement Training at Wake Technical Community College.

Jim was a dedicated provider who worked hard to better himself and support his family. He remained an avid golfer for more than 50 years, finding great joy on the course as a longtime member of Cheviot Hills Golf Club in Raleigh and, more recently, Heritage Golf Club in Wake Forest. He is survived by his wife, Anne; his son, James Creech (Niall); his daughter, Suzanne Lynch (Tommy); his grandchildren, Luke, Caroline, Hannah, and Clare; his sister, Maxine Creech White; his brother, Tony Mitchum; and many nieces and nephews.