1928-2026
Creighton Neil White died peacefully February 5, 2026, in Temple Texas. Mr. White was born May 7, 1928, in Colorado City, Texas, to NH and Leva V. Kiker White in his grandparents Kiker’s house. Born at 2 lbs., his Granny Kiker kept him warm in the oven the first night to save his life.
Creighton grew up working at the family funeral home, Kiker and Son, all through the years returning from college each summer to work. He was the ambulance driver, set up chairs for funerals, and worked at funerals beside his mother, uncle Doyle Kiker and Granddaddy Davis Kiker. One of his favorite stories was the night he had duty and Bob Wills and the Playboys were playing at the VFW across from the funeral home. Cars were illegally parked in the funeral home drive blocking the ambulance. So, he went over and asked Mr. Wills to announce they needed to move the cars. Bob did one better. He brought Creighton on stage and announced the band would not play another tune until all the cars were moved. Problem solved!
Creighton graduated from the University of Texas and the University of Texas School of Law. He served as City Attorney for Waxahachie, Ector County Attorney in Odessa, and then entered private practice in Midland where a future president, George Bush, officed across the hall from him. Later he practiced in Dallas, then entered the oil and gas industry where he worked for over 50 years. He was in Dallas the day Kenndy was shot, and in a twist of fate, his colleague asked him to go to Parkland Hospital with him where he saw history playing out.
Creighton was loyal to his family, the State of Texas, and UT football. In that order. He served during the Korean Conflict and later the Bay of Pigs. Creighton was a proud vet and often talked about his time in the service. He cherished throwing the football with his kids, arguing politics, music, and law with his daughter Melissa who followed in his footsteps and became a lawyer. He once said his plot in life was to have both daughters graduate from OU. If Texas lost the shoot out, they all knew not to call him!
He and Deborah French were married January 18, 1986. She survives as well as children Geoff (Karen) Yukon, Oklahoma, Randy Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Kerry (Glenn) Tulsa, Oklahoma, Melissa (Roy Lee) Lyndsey Apex, North Carolina, and S. Scott French (Marianne) Yukon, Oklahoma. Eleven grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren and his kids mother who he remained friend with, Martha Jonson.
Mr. White is preceded in death by his parents, and son David White.
He was always proud of each of his kids and their accomplishments. He always did life his own way. Hook’em Horns!
Mr. White was a long time Arkansas City resident having taught at Cowley College and was an active member of Trinty Episcopal Church. He was a faithful member of the Bricks Coffee Club.
Memorials to your local animal shelter.
Private family burial in the Kiker plot at the Colorado City Cemetery at a later date.
