Theodore O. Creason

Family was Ted's world, and if you were in his world then he considered you family. Ted was profoundly proud of his grandchildren and closely followed their accomplishments. His easy laugh could be heard frequently when playing with them or when recounting their antics. As the eldest of his siblings, Ted maintained strong bonds with his mom and all his brothers and sisters; these bonds now transcend generations. Family holidays hosted at Ted and Marsha's were boisterous occasions where large masses celebrated with copious amounts of food and drink and filled their house to capacity; yet room was always made for additional guests.

Ted and Marsha's love of adventure took them on exciting travels around the world, where they served as ambassadors for the great state of Idaho and their beloved Lewiston. Quick to tell anyone and everyone about the values and virtues of "God's country," they were just as eager to bring back stories of their exciting culinary and cultural discoveries abroad. Ted's quests ranged from kissing the Blarney Stone in Ireland, to Castilian cuisine in Barcelona, to bullet-proof vests in Afghanistan, to discussing religion with the president of Liberia. Even in his battle with cancer, his last journey, Ted's love of travel was clear: his posts on the CaringBridge website related his experience to a guided camel ride through the desert. Through it all, Ted's enthusiastic love of life, learning and understanding enriched the lives of all who knew him.

At home, Ted always believed in being involved and supporting the community. He was a lifelong Episcopalian and was active in all areas of the church. Among other roles, Ted served on the Republican Central Committee as chairman, was part of the Idaho Commission of Pardons and Parole, served on the board of directors for a local bank, served on the board of directors for the Northwest Children's Home, including a term as president, was a member of the Downtown Lewiston Rotary Club, including time as president. Most recently, he enjoyed serving on the board of directors for the Lewiston Library Foundation.

Ted was born on May 28, 1948, in American Falls, Idaho, to Theodore Osman Creason and Helen Patricia Ritchey. He graduated from Aberdeen High School and received his bachelor of arts in history from the University of Idaho in 1970 and his juris doctorate from the University of Idaho, College of Law, in 1973. He immediately went to work with his grandfather and uncle at the firm of Creason and Creason in Rupert, Idaho. This is when he met Marsha Kidder, the love of his life, whom he married on June 20, 1975, in Fruitland, Idaho. That autumn, he and Marsha moved to Lewiston where their four beautiful and beloved children were born and raised. Upon arriving in Lewiston, Ted worked as a part-time deputy prosecutor and also maintained a general practice. In 1985, he joined the firm of Ware, O'Connell and Creason. In 1988, he became the senior partner of the firm, which today is known as Creason, Moore, Dokken and Geidl, PLLC. He enjoyed being part of many organizations associated with the practice of law, some of which he served as president. He was especially proud of being given the exceptional professional and ethical "AV" rating by his legal peers for more than 15 years, and always strived to live up to that high standard.

He leaves behind his wife, Marsha; and four children, Robert Creason (with wife Beth and son Alex) of Alexandria, Va., Kayla Robinson (with husband Tim, daughter Olivia and twins on the way) of Houston, Texas, Jana McGilvery (with husband Chris, and children Harley, Tyler, Kaison and Kalon) of Eagle, Idaho, and Samuel Creason (with wife Christine, and children Maggie, Evie, Lizzie and Paul) of Lewiston. Ted is also survived by his mother, Patricia Toevs of Aberdeen, Idaho; and five siblings: sister Helen "Penny" Nelsen (with husband Mike) of Redmond, Wash.; brother Gordon Toevs (with wife Brenda) of Woodbridge, Va.; brother Ritchey Toevs (with wife Joanne) of Aberdeen, Idaho; sister Sarah Hoagland (with husband Kevin) of Boise; and sister Anne Beck (with husband Phil) of Cottonwood, Utah. Ted was preceded in death by his father, Theodore Creason, and his stepfather, Gordon Toevs.

Service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 18 at the Episcopal Church of the Nativity in Lewiston, with the Rev. Gretchen Rehberg officiating. Interment will follow in the church columbarium, with visitation afterward in the church parish hall.

Memorials in Ted's honor may be made to the Episcopal Church of the Nativity; the Lewiston Library Foundation; or the charity of your choice.