Wayne Harland Creasy was born in Carthage, Missouri on February 19, 1926, the third son of Bernard and Vivian Jones Creasy. He passed into his reward with Jesus on September 2, 2024 at his home in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 98.

Wayne first lived with his family in Carthage, Missouri where his father was a barber, and as a youngster, they moved to California. From there, he and his mother took the train to relocate to Joplin, Missouri where he attended first grade. He and his mother lived with his maternal grandmother, May Jones. When Wayne was in junior high, he fell in love with chemistry. He scrounged chemicals and supplies from doctors' offices and warehouses. In high school, he created quite a chemical lab in an outbuilding near his home, where he continued experiments.

Wayne's love for classical music was ignited in fourth grade when he first listened on his mother's Victrola. This love stayed with him throughout his life, alongside his appreciation for opera and ballet. He actively supported the arts, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, the Tulsa Opera, the Tulsa Symphony, and the Tulsa Ballet.

By the time he was 12, Wayne began working to earn extra money. One of his first jobs was selling and delivering the Joplin Globe newspaper, and he picked up odd jobs at every opportunity. His gift of sales and persuasion was already appearing in his life by this time.

Wayne continued to excel in chemistry in high school and was also in advanced ROTC, where he wore the uniform and boots to school. Money was tight, and there wasn't enough money for him to wear the current popular clothes, so a uniform was acceptable. Many high school boys were in ROTC, and the day after graduation in 1944, a bus took more than half the senior boys to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas for physicals and evaluation for the army. After basic training, his platoon was in New York City, waiting to be shipped to Europe, and he was further exposed to music, opera, ballet, and Broadway shows. Everyone was generous to the young soldiers by providing tickets to the shows.

He mostly fought in the infantry in Belgium. Wayne was honorably discharged from the army in 1946 after two years of service through Honolulu and, finally, San Francisco.

Back in Joplin, Wayne married Lynette Daisy Wilson in 1947, and into this union, a daughter, Nyla Patrice, was born in 1951. Thanks to the G.I. Bill, Wayne completed his BS Chemistry degree in two and a half years at Kansas State College in Pittsburg, Kansas. He was awarded his Masters in Chemistry from Wichita State University, and, upon completion, he taught chemistry at the college level in Pittsburg, Kansas.

His first son, Mark Wayne Creasy, was born in 1954. Wayne left his first love, teaching, and worked door-to-door in sales. Eventually, he sold expensive vacuum cleaners, called on homemakers, worked hard, and became quite successful. At one home he met a gentleman, who recognized Wayne's intellect and sales ability and convinced him to try life insurance sales, which began a lifelong occupation.

Wayne soon became president of Centennial Life Insurance Company. Due to his interest in natural gas production and involvement in this industry, he relocated his family to Tulsa. Through his friendship with Jim Halsey, Wayne met Roy Clark. The three were involved in many business ventures over a lifetime and remained lifelong friends.

Wayne and his second wife, Jolane Leming, whom he married in 1963, lived at Oakwold (in Bolewood Acres) with their daughter, Rebecca Anne, who was born in 1965. They invited Roy and his wife, Barbara, to their home for a visit. Roy stated to Wayne that if he could find him a home similar to Oakwold, he would relocate to Tulsa. Wayne knew Mrs. C.W. Titus, who owned a similar property on Forest Boulevard, and persuaded her to sell her home to the Clarks. This was another incident in which Wayne's power of persuasion was used to "make the deal."

Wayne, Roy, and Jim Halsey were highly active in Tulsa during this time and started the Roy Clark Celebrity Golf Tournament, which brought many well-known names to our city, and to the ranch they jointly owned near Mounds, from 1965 to 1974. With this venue, they raised more than $1 million for Tulsa Children's Medical Center.

Wayne continued to excel at life insurance sales and had many agents working under him. He could recognize sales talent and teach them the ins and outs of the business. During the next years, he became involved in lots of capital enterprises and loved nothing more than closing "the deal." He quickly learned about each industry, the regulations, the vocabulary, and the principles involved. Every day was a brand-new day working with Wayne, as attested to by his long-time associate and good friend, Judith Johnson.

He married Martha Buchanan on February 28, 1977, and to this union, a son, Ryan Wayne Creasy, was born in 1980. They enjoyed living in Oakwold for more than 50 years. It was a wonderful home, and they shared it on many occasions for Bible studies, ladies Christian luncheons, and family reunions.

Jim Thomas of Kimberling City, MO knew that Wayne had contacts with Roy in Tulsa. Jim knew of a property in Branson, MO (which hadn't yet boomed) that would be perfect for a theater, and he thought Roy would be a natural attraction. Another "deal" was made in Wayne's life, and the Roy Clark Theater in Branson was born.

Every day of Wayne's life was an adventure. He treated his employees like family, and he never held grudges. He was quick to forgive his adversaries. He was a good man. To hear his voice tell some of the stories, listen to John Erling's "Voices of Oklahoma."

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, his two brothers, Wesley and Bill, and his youngest daughter Pati. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Martha of Tulsa; his children, Mark and Janet Creasy of Tulsa, Rebecca Creasy Simcoe of Tulsa and Ryan Creasy of Los Angeles, along with two grandchildren; Michael and Tania Creasy of Los Angeles, Melissa and Corey Cox of Tulsa, and great-grandchildren; Rhylinn Finley and Kai Cox of Tulsa. Also, he had many nieces and nephews, all of which he loved dearly.

Wayne strongly believed in God through Jesus Christ, His only Son and Eternal Savior. He came to know Jesus at the age of 57, and his life took on a new dimension. He was full of hope and excitement at the biggest adventure yet to come—entering his Heavenly Father's arms.

He was a member of the First Methodist Church in Tulsa. Blessed, beautiful, and incredible music, under the direction of Joseph Baez, at the First Methodist Church was Wayne's instant connection to the church. When featured soloist Phil Armstrong sang the Amen chorus, Wayne would immediately be on his feet with hands raised in praise and worship— foreshadowing of the heavenly worship he has now entered!

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to:

Rick Renner Ministeries

First Methodist Church of Tulsa

Lisa's House Ministries of Tulsa