James "Jim" W. Creech

Jim is survived by his wife of 48 years, Mary Sutton Creech; son, John (Judi) of Greensboro, N.C.; stepchildren Stephen Carpenter of Washington D.C.; Kathy Powell of Wilmington, N.C.; Jo Harding (Chris) of Apex, N.C.; Myra Hall (Stephen) of Trent Woods, N.C. in addition to several grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his mother and father, and son, Paul Creech.

Jim was born on May 23, 1924, in Hendersonville, N.C. to John Edwood and Minnie Jane Bryan Creech. He graduated from Flat Rock, N.C. High School, and Mars Hill College. Jim then went on to receive his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

He served in the United States Army from 1943 to 1946 stationed in Northern France and Germany. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for “Notorious Achievement in Ground Combat Against the Armed Enemy.”

Jim moved to New Bern in 1969 as controller of the power tools division of the Stanley Works. When Robert Bosch GMBH acquired the operation, he continued as Corporate Controller of the Robert Bosch Power Tool Corporation until his retirement in 1990.

Jim served in several county organizations over the year including Director and President of the New Bern Area Chamber of Commerce, Member of the Craven County Committee of 100, Commissioner of the Town of Trent Woods and Member and Officer of the New Bern Civitan Club.

His main commitment to Public Service was at the Coastal Carolina Airport Authority where he served for 25 years as a member and as Chairman for 10 of those years.

A memorial service will be held at Centenary United Methodist Church in Downtown New Bern on Tuesday, December 5 at 1:00 p.m. The family will receive friends following the service in the church Fellowship Hall. A private family burial will take place later.

In lieu of Flowers, Memorials may be made to Centenary United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1388, New Bern, NC 28563.

Cotten Funeral Home is honored to serve the family and friends of James "Jim" Creech.