James S. Creedon

Jim Creedon, 83, of Litchfield Park passed away on Tuesday, September 30, 2014. Jim and his wife, Dixie,   had a large extended family.  His first wife, Carol, of 45 years, passed away in 1997.  They had 5 grown children and 7 grandchildren.  Jim Creedon married his wife, Dixie, an Air Force widow, and they were married for 15 years.  Dixie has four grown children, and six grandchildren.   He is survived by his wife, Dixie, and his children, Barbara (Sonny) Culbreth, Cathy (John) Yarmuth, Debbie (Mark) Campbell, Jim Creedon Jr., and Jeff (Angela) Creedon.  His wonderful grandchildren, Matt Culbreth, Brian (Stephanie) Culbreth, Aaron Yarmuth, Christa Campbell, Chase Campbell, Josh Creedon and Jake Creedon loved spending time with their Granddad discussing sports, travel, and family. He also loved his two great grandchildren, Hannah and Katie Culbreth.  His extended family includes Tom Hanford, Kevin and Paula Hanford, Katherine Mitchell, and Dan and Annie Hanford and their children, Anna Hanford, Harris Hanford, Preston Hanford, Ryan Hanford and William Hanford.

He is predeceased by his brothers Richard (Joan) and William (Val) Creedon. He was born May 20, 1931, in Pittsburgh. He loved growing up near Boston and began his love of sports as he went to baseball games there.

Jim Creedon graduated from Dean Academy in 1949. He attended college on a swimming scholarship and received a BS in Business from the U. of Connecticut in 1953 and was recently inducted into the School of Business Hall of Fame.  He also received an MS degree from George Washington University in International Affairs in 1966.  He graduated from the National War College in 1971.    He became an Air Force pilot in 1953 and his career took him across the United States and around the world. He retired from the Air Force in 1981 as a Brigadier General.

General Creedon was a command pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours in B-26s, B-57s, F-14s, F-15s, F-106s, OV-10s, T-33s, T-37s, T-38s and T-39s. His military decorations and awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Presidential Unit Citation emblem, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award ribbon with oak leaf cluster and Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal 1st Class.  His love of Arizona began when he served with NORAD at Luke Air Force Base.

After General Creedon’s military career, he was Director and Deputy Director of the Arizona Department of Transportation starting in 1982 and serving four Governors. He retired from Arizona government in 1993.  He served from 1993 to 2011 as Executive Vice President with Landry, Creedon and Associates. He considered his close friend, Larry Landry, as a brother.

He loved to play golf with his friends at The Wigwam Country Club and was past president of the Board. He cheered on his Washington Redskins, UConn Huskies, Phoenix Suns and AZ Diamondbacks for many seasons.

Jim had great faith in God and was very proud of his wonderful family. He was a kind and generous man who enjoyed a full and happy life.

Visitation will be on Thursday, October 2, 2014 from 5-7pm at Thompson Funeral Chapel in Goodyear.  Funeral Mass will be held at 10am on Friday, October 3, 2014 at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 13720 W. Thomas RD. Avondale, AZ 85392.  Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Avondale AZ. The family extends thanks and appreciation for all who expressed condolences. In lieu of flowers the family suggests a memorial donation to Fighter Country Partnership or the Catholic Church High School building fund.