The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Ted Creason, age 70, passed away at his home on Wednesday, May 29.

He was born in Fort Hill, Oregon, the son of William Creason and Lyda Hagebush.

He served in the National Guard from 1957 to 1962.

While in high school, Ted was in the cast of the Walt Disney movie “Comanche,” which was filmed in Central Oregon. His small but memorable role was as a rider in the cavalry.

After high school graduation in Woodburn, he moved to Salem. Soon after graduation, he married “Wink,” Wilta May Hefly and they had three children together: Dara, Nick, and

Kevin.

After Salem, Ted moved his family back to Woodburn doing various jobs before moving to Oakridge where he logged for one year. When logging shut down for the winter, he moved his family back to Salem where he worked for a laundry service and had the commercial route for a few years up until 1968.

In 1968, his dream came true — to live in Central Oregon. He moved his family onto the old “Harrington Ranch” out of Sisters. He started out working for local ranchers until he began his long career with ODOT. However, after seven-plus years with ODOT, Ted moved his family to Hermiston for one year only to return to Central Oregon. He worked in construction until he was offered a job back with ODOT as a painter on the “striping crew.” His career with ODOT resumed and he retired in 2003 with just under 30 years, serving many aspects of the “highway

department.”

Ted loved his family: He had two brothers and four sisters. He admired and adored ALL of his brother-in-laws and said they were all big brothers to him. He felt spoiled. He loved his children and

grandchildren.

Ted’s passions were horses, horse tack, gold mining, fishing and hunting. He had fond memories of gathering the bucking string of horses each spring for his brother-in-law Mert Hunking. His dream was to have a ranch. He enjoyed his 40-acre ranch for a brief time, eventually letting it go and trading it for a small house in the town of

Sisters.

Ted married Darcy Shultz in 1998. They both shared their passions for outdoor adventures, fishing, camping and horses. Their goal was to build their shared dream: to retire on a small ranch and enjoy the country, animals, and horses, which they did in 2005 and where Ted lived out his retirement.

Ted was diagnosed with cancer in 1999. His long battle with prostate cancer spanned 20 years. He had many quality years during this time and lived life to its fullest. He would often say, “Every day I am alive is a good day.”

“I was born in Oregon and I will die in Oregon,” another phrase Ted would often say. He was particularly fond of Central Oregon. He was laid to rest at the Camp Polk

Cemetery.

Ted is survived by his wife, Darcy Creason; his sister, Martha Hunking; his three children, Dara Dressel, Nick Creason, and Kevin Creason; his grandchildren, JD Nodine, Taylor Connole, Colton Creason, and Charlei Garcia; and his great-granddaughter, Delaney Connole.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society in his honor.