Robert Larry Creighton

Robert Larry “Bob” Creighton, West Fargo, passed away March 2, 2025, at 2:28pm, at home.

Husband and father, Bob had been married to Kathleen since 1958 -- 66+ years!

Robert “Bob” was born February 3, 1936. Bob was the oldest child of James Robert “Jimmy” and Priscilla Eugenia “Coupe” (Gordon) Creighton.  With sisters Margaret (Creighton) Harding and Jean (Creighton) Noble, he was raised in Little Rock AR.

Bob attended East Side Jr. High, Little Rock Central High School and Little Rock Jr. College.  He began playing saxophone and clarinet in the 4th grade.  In junior high he was band Quartermaster.  In high school he became marching band Drum Major.  Bob was a member of the AR National Guard Army Band.  In 1957, Governor Faubus called out the Guard, as integration of Little Rock Central High began.  President Eisenhower federalized the Guard, discharged them, and brought in replacement troops.

In Little Rock, Bob was employed with Treadway Electric and played in local dance bands.  In 1965, the family spent a year in Oklahoma.  Kathleen had hoped to return to North Dakota.  So, after Kelly completed kindergarten in Tulsa, the family relocated to West Fargo.  Bob took a position with Dakota Electric Supply Company which became Dakota Supply Group (DSG).  He retired in 2001.

In Fargo-Moorhead from 1966 to 2018 Bob’s music experience included Lake Agassiz Concert Band (now LAWS) for over 30 years; a number of popular bands, including Jim Ployhar’s Fargo Theatre band, Johnny Flagg 4th of July band, George Schoen and Mel Eidsmoe dance bands, Fargo Kicks Band, John Pederson’s FM Jazz Orchestra as well as summer concerts and Shrine Circus bands.  Music continued: travel to Spain, Hungary, Austria, and Czech Republic with the Moorhead State University band.

Bob was introduced to handball by brother-in-law Gene F. Lenzmeier.  Bob then joined players at the YMCA and participated in the annual Rudy Harris Tournaments.  He also played in the 9th World Championship in Winnipeg, Canada in 1999.

During years in Arkansas, Bob and Kathleen enjoyed dancing to famous Big Bands.  In North Dakota, they joined the Marathon Dance Club.  Bob realized his sailing dream when the couple was invited by Skipper Gene Johnson and First Mate Maureta Studebaker to take annual sails on Lake Superior (Apostle Islands).  Downhill skiing was not a goal, but when the chance popped up at age 65, Bob and Kathleen tried the sport in Breckenridge CO and White Fish MT.

Bob’s SERTOMA membership gave fellowship and service opportunities.  He directed riders in Multiple Sclerosis Bike rides.  Time in Florida and Arkansas was a nice break from North Dakota winters. The couple joined the choir at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in West Fargo from 1983 to 2023.

Bob’s gentle style, gracious demeanor and patience made him easy to be around.  Beginning in 2012 he dealt with health issues, which led to a Parkinson’s diagnosis by 2018.

In late February, Bob was admitted to Sanford Hospice.  Parkinson’s disease had taken its toll.  His family appreciated Hospice support.  Bob lasted until Sunday, March 2.  He had turned 89 on February 3, 2025.

Bob is survived by wife Kathleen (Lenzmeier) Creighton, daughter Kelly, son-in-law David Gooch, sisters Margaret Harding and Jean Noble, VA, brother-in-law Lynn Oberg, Washburn ND, sisters-in-law Marge Glover (Doug) Batesville AR, Darla Jones Lenzmeier (Frank), West Fargo ND, Michelle Keates (“Pax”) Ventnor NJ, Lee Ann Folden (Paul) Wahpeton ND and generations of nephews and nieces.  He was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law, 6 brothers-in-law (Bill, Gene, Rich, Weldon, Jack, Frank) and 4 sisters-in-law (Judith, Marilyn, Melanie, Joanne).

A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 10:00am with a period of visitation, one hour prior at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in West Fargo ND. The formal visitation will be held the evening prior, Friday, March 14, 2025, at 6:00pm, with a prayer service starting at 7:00pm at West Funeral Home in West Fargo ND. A private interment will take place on a later date at Holy Cross Cemetery South.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert Larry Creighton, please visit our floral store.