Fire victim remembered for heart of service

Ricky Creech dedicated his life to helping other people.

The Barnwell native worked a couple years with the Barnwell City Fire Department before heeding a call into the ministry. For the past 31 years, the ordained minister served in various leadership positions among communities of faith, faith-based non-profits, and for-profit organizations and agencies in multiple states.

“Ricky never lost sight of being a Christian, the fire service, and helping kids,” said Neal Morris, a long-time friend who previously worked with Creech at the Barnwell City Fire Department.

Creech died on Saturday, July 16 during an early morning fire at his home in Lake Waccamaw, N.C., where he was President/CEO of the Boys & Girls Homes of North Carolina. His family was not injured as they were out of town at the time of the fire, but the family’s two dogs perished.

Creech’s character and heart for service was evident from a young age.

“Ricky was a leader in his youth at Barnwell High class of 1981. He had so much energy, a big smile, and always willing to lead for the betterment of others and for His (God’s) kingdom,” said Angela Williams.

According to Morris, Creech was a pleasure to be around and had the gift of gab. It’s a gift he used countless times, including to go to Columbia to talk to lawmakers about the needs of the fire service. “It didn’t matter who you were; from the smallest kid to the oldest person, he could sit there and talk and listen,” said Morris.

Creech was also always helping people. After ending his shift at the fire department one Sunday morning, Creech was changing clothes to go to church when a fire call was toned out. He grabbed a fire truck and went to the scene. “I looked up and he was in a three-piece suit and air pack. He grabbed a helmet and said, ‘I’m going in,’” said Morris.

Rev. Billy Vaughn, former pastor of Barnwell First Baptist Church, remembers Creech working at the fire department since the parsonage was located behind the fire department at the time. He also remembers how Creech was an involved member at Friendship Baptist before feeling led into the ministry, which took him away from Barnwell.

“I watched Ricky’s life from afar as he first became a Director of the Birmingham Association in Alabama, and would later serve children through being the head of Children’s Homes in Kentucky, Washington, D.C. area and finally here in North Carolina where we live,” said Rev. Vaughn.

Rev. Vaughn said his own pastor and another member of his church in Rutherfordton, N.C. both knew Creech from when he was in seminary or held another position. Both talked of how he involved the church in local community ministries, no matter what his title was.

“Ricky made an impression on all who knew him. And our world was blessed by this man of God, as were Baptists. We mourn Ricky’s death, and should rededicate our lives and our churches to being influencers in the lives of all those in need,” said Rev. Vaughn.

Before coming to the Boys & Girls Homes of North Carolina in October 2020, Creech served as the Director of Church and Community Ministries at Montgomery Baptist Association, Executive Director of the Birmingham Baptist Association, Minister of Administration and Missions at Oak Grove United Methodist Church, Executive Director of the D.C. Baptist Convention, President/CEO of Buckhorn Children and Family Services, and Chief Executive Officer of Southstone Behavioral Health Center.

He came to the Boys & Girls Homes of North Carolina during a period of transition as the national landscape of childcare was changing drastically. Creech brought a background of service and compassion, including through children’s organizations, to help the organization that helps children who are removed from their homes for abuse, neglect, and other issues. He was a hands-on leader who strived to provide health, healing, and hope so the kids in their care could have a brighter future, said Ray Cockrell, temporary acting President/CEO of Boys & Girls Homes of North Carolina.

“President Creech’s fearless leadership and passion for the youth and families in our care will be sorely missed,” said Board Chairman Dave Wyatt. “We keep his family in our prayers. We know that the children served by BGHNC were his priority and he would want the work to continue.”

Creech leaves behind his wife Donna, three daughters and two sons-in-law, four grandchildren, his mother Martha Creech Boineau of Barnwell, and two sisters, Cynthia Ray and Tammy Still of Barnwell. The family appreciates the outpouring of love and support as they process the tragedy.

“We are so very thankful to you all for the texts, Facebook messages, your stories, food, calls, visits, and much more. Continue to pray for us as we process this with heavy hearts,” said Still.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers a monetary donation be made in his memory to either the Boys & Girls Homes of N.C. (400 Flemington Drive, Lake Waccamaw, N.C. 28450) or the Lake Waccamaw Fire Department (203 Flemington Drive, Lake Waccamaw, N.C. 28450) designated for their Water Rescue Equipment Fund.

“Both of these organizations held a special place in my dad’s heart. Always the fireman and always the minister with a heart for our foster care and community,” said daughter Sarah Creech.

As fire officials investigate the fire and Creech's family plan his funeral, his legacy of service lives on in all he impacted.