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Robert Frank "Bob" Creson
Jul 17, 1927 - Jun 26, 2014
Posted by Janet Laubhan Flickinger

http://www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com/

Robert Frank Creson, 86, of Norman  passed away Thursday, June 26, 2014 in Norman.  He was born July 17, 1927 to Edward and Laura (Clift) Creson in Fayetteville, TN. 

The family moved to the little village of Booneville when he was 4 years old and they lived there until he was high school age then moved back to Fayetteville.   After high school graduation, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps as World War II was still ongoing.  By the time he reached basic training the war was over but he was committed to making the Army his career.  After basic and other training, the Army opened OCS (officer training) and he applied for and was accepted into the first OCS class after WW II at the Infantry School.  In 1947, at the age of 19, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lt in the Infantry.    He then went to paratrooper training and was assigned to the 11th Airborne Division in Japan.  When the Korean War started, he volunteered for Ranger Training and served in the 8th Army Ranger Company in Korea.  Later he served in the 187th Airborne Regional Combat Team where he was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in combat action and later the Bronze Star for bravery in infantry combat.  He was wounded twice in combat action for which he received the Purple Heart.  After two Korean tours and 67 parachute jumps overall (2 in Korea), he was assigned as the Professor of Military Science at Robert E. Lee Institute inThomaston, GA. He then attended flight training and became a pilot (his great love) and served as Operations Officer of the Army Aviation School.  He was then assigned to the General Staff of US Army Europe where he met Lt. Carol Roelofs, an Army nurse, the love of his life.  After the Europe tour, he was assigned to Ft. Bragg, NC where he commanded major aviation units and was awarded the Legion of Merit for his outstanding performance of duty.  He retired from the Army in 1970 as a colonel. 

In 1971, he was selected to set up and manage the Transportation Safety Institute of the US Dept of Transportation which brought him and his family to Oklahoma.  For his leadership and management of the Institute, he received the Secretary of Transportation's Silver Award of Meritorious Achievement and later the Outstanding Service Award.  Since he went straight from high school to the Army, he started night school at Oklahoma City Univ. and received a BS degree and MBA to fulfill his strong desire of completing his education.

In the late 80's, Bob along with other leaders was a moving force in STOP, a grass roots movement in a statewide initiative petition drive that resulted in a 1992 amendment to the Oklahoma constitution which vested the power to tax in the people.  His patriotism, love of country, and service to community were inspirational and helped make positive things happen.  Bob also served on the Norman City Council (ward 5) from 1987 to 1989.  While serving he worked with other officials to secure funding to install twin bridges on east Alameda that was subject to major flooding.  Bob was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and willingly served in many callings including Bishop of the Norman 2nd ward from 1982 to 1985. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Lynn. 

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Carol; his daughter, Nola Hansen and her husband Ross; son, Clint and daughter LesLee Lynch and her husband Robin; his grandchildren, Tayler Hansen Chambers and husband Rendon, Cara Hansen, Molly Hansen, Cole Creson, and Clifton Nevels and his wife Shauna; and 4 great grandchildren. 

Funeral services will be held Tues, July 1st at 1:00 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1506 W. Imhoff Road, Norman, OK with interment following at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery in Norman.  Visitation will be held at Havenbrook Funeral Home, 3401 Havenbrook St.,Norman, OK on Mon., June 30th from 5:00 to 8:00pm. 

In lieu of flowers the family requests remembrances be made to the American Heart Assoc. or the LDS Missionary Fund, 15 E. South Temple, SLC, UT, 84150.

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