Charles E. Creek

Charles Edward Creek, Jr., son of the late Charles Edward Creek, Sr. and Ellamae Malinda Lewis Creek, was born on February 5, 1941 at City Hospital in Baltimore. He departed this earthly life on April 1, 2015 after a lengthy illness. As a child he was fondly called "Junior" and grew up at 808 Carroll Street in southwest Baltimore. He was baptized at St. Monica's Catholic Church and received his first Communion and Confirmation there. He attended the church summer school, served as an altar boy and was active in the church's Boy Scout troop. Early on he developed a keen interest in the military, gathering other boys in the neighborhood to form a club called the "Junior Marines". Junior was in charge and marched the boys through the neighborhood practicing drills. They also camped out in the backyard and at nearby Carroll Park. We always believed he would become a Marine one day. Junior attended Elementary School #117, Booker T. Washington Junior High, Frederick Douglas High School and graduated from Southern High School in June 1959. While at Southern he was on the wrestling and lacrosse. As a teen he worked for the Blind Industries at the SSA Candler Building. Junior enlisted in the United States Army in October 1959. When discharged he returned home, insisted that we now call him Chuck, and went to work for the Maryland Penitentiary in downtown Baltimore as a correctional officer. Chuck loved foreign cars and during this time at home he first drove an English Ford and later a black convertible Austin Healy (with red interior). He also moved into his first apartment on Eutaw Place which was about the size of a matchbox. But civilian life just wasn't for him and he reenlisted after 2 years. Chuck was a proud, patriotic career soldier serving 30+ years and he had duty stations virtually everywhere in the world. He served specifically in Hawaii, Vietnam, Fort Meade (Maryland), Fort Holabird (Maryland), Okinawa, Japan, Thailand, Fort Huachuca (Arizona), Fort Hood (Texas), Korea, Munich, Germany, and Fort Bragg (North Carolina). It was at Fort Bragg that he completed Paratrooper training, becoming a member of the elite 82 Airborne Command. Later when asked "Why jump from an airplane?" he would always reply, "That's what you're supposed to do." "HOOAH"! A veteran of the Vietnam Conflict he received the Vietnam Service Medal with 5 Service Stars. He volunteered twice to fight in this unpopular war and the experience haunted him for the rest of his life. But he was gratified that his career flourished ultimately culminating in his selection as an intelligence analyst for the 66th MI Command. Chuck retired on June 30, 1991. During his career he earned many awards and citations for sharp shooting, as a pistol expert, as a first class gunner and as a large motor vehicle driver. His many decorations included an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and a National Defense Service Medal. After retirement, Chuck continued to be involved in various military associations, the USO and the Vietnam Veterans Chapter #451 at Fort Holabird, where he participated in parades and served as Sgt. of the Guard on Honor Guard burial details. He enjoyed assembling and painting model planes, trains and automobiles. Lead soldiers were his passion. He would spend hours assembling and painting each small soldier. He also collected GI Joe's, hats, pins and patches from around the world. He loved his cigarettes, beer, women, Jazz, Rock & Roll and Country Western music. He was a fair and honest man who greatly loved his family, the army and his country. Chuck married Johnetta (Joyce) K. Hicks in 1969 and they divorced after 26 years of marriage. The couple were the proud parents of two daughters, Treeva L. (Tracy) and Brandy M. (Pinky). He also has two step sons, George and Damond Forrest. Chuck married (Christina (Ping) Lui in 1996 and he was blessed with another stepson Vincent. During this marriage they successfully operated "The Turkey Farm" at Lexington Market, selling turkey and other offerings and winning rave reviews for their delicious sandwiches. They divorced after 10 years of marriage. Chuck is survived by his children, George C. Forrest, Damond S. Forrest (Jackie), Treeva L. Creek-Morrow (Jay) and Brandy M. Creek; three sisters, Patricia E. Lewis (Calvin), Virginia C. Creek and Regina E. Ravenell; 11 grandchildren, 7 nieces, 2 nephews, numerous cousins and a host of other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his father Charles E. Creek, Sr., his mother Ellamae M. Cook and his brothers Henry (Bunny) and Lewis and Lawrence Creek.

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Charles E. Creek

February 5, 1941 - April 1, 2015