Herbert Augustus "H.A." Creef, Jr, died Friday July 6, 2012, in Norfolk, VA. H.A. was a "Native Son," born in Manteo and was owner/operator of The Pioneer Theatre and The Duke of Dare Motor Lodge in Manteo. He was a member of Mount Olivet United Methodist Church. H.A. was a former commissioner of the Town of Manteo and an avid supporter of the revitalization, promoting and preserving of downtown Manteo. He was a former member of the Roanoke Island Volunteer Fire Dept, Manteo Masonic Lodge #521 AF&AM, a Scottish Rite Mason and a graduate of East Carolina University where he was a Letterman and a proud member of the Pirates Club. He also showed interest in Dare County's youth, he was a former volunteer coach for the Manteo High School Redskins and a member of the Tidewater Council Soap Box Derby. H.A. taught multiple youth in Dare County "theatre etiquette" and was labeled by some to be the "cheapest babysitter in town". H.A. served his country honorably in the Korean War with the U.S. Air Force.
He was the son of the late Herbert A. Creef, Sr and Ann Burrrus Creef and husband of Elizabeth Hill Creef.
Besides his wife, surviving are his daughter, Liz Ann Meekins and husband Lish of Manteo; two sons, Tim Creef and wife Denise of Winston-Salem, NC and Buddy Creef and wife Kate of Manteo; one sister, Ruby Eves of Newport News, VA; five grandchildren, Will Creef, Davis Creef, Sara Creef, Elyssa Creef and Alex Creef. Besides his parents he is predeceased by his sisters, Carita Parker and Margaret Ann Gray and his brother George Creef.
A celebration of life will be in Mount Olivet United Methodist Church, Tuesday July 10, 2012, by Rev. Jerry Cribb and Rev. Dr. Jerome Smith. Burial will be in Manteo Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the home of his daughter and son-in-law, at 135 Meekins Drive in Manteo, Monday from 4pm to 7pm . Memorials may be made to the ECU Educational Foundation, Ward Sports Medicine Building Suite 304, Greenville, NC.