Floyd Larry, 83, and Julie Ann Creekmore, 80

Floyd Larry Creekmore (Larry) passed away Dec. 27, 2023, in Kalispell at the age of 83. Julie Ann, his loving wife, and soul mate of 57 years, passed away at the age of 80, less than four months later, on April 15 at their home on Echo Lake.

In 2019, Larry underwent surgery in Kalispell for a neuroendocrine tumor located in his small intestine. Sadly, the initial surgery involved numerous complications which required many subsequent surgeries leaving him in an ICU stay for eight weeks, plus an additional four weeks at the Northern Idaho Advanced Care Hospital before finally returning home. For the next four and half years, he battled the resulting complications of his many surgeries. He was a true fighter until the end.

Julie Ann was a tremendous caregiver and took wonderful care of Larry during those four and half years. She was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) a month after Larry’s passing and was gone less than three months later. Larry and Julie Ann were amazing people who touched so many lives of those who knew them. They will be deeply missed, but never forgotten. 

Larry was born on Oct. 5, 1940, to Floyd and Betty Creekmore in Havre. After graduating from Stanford High School in 1959, he attended Montana State University for a year and then transferred to the University of Montana to pursue a degree in Forestry. He spent five years in the Navy serving three tours in Vietnam. After the Navy, Larry became a commercial pilot and spent his entire career with Northwest Airlines.

Julie Ann was born in Great Falls on Aug. 29, 1943, to Paul and Shirley Hammer. She graduated from Stanford High School in 1961 and initially attended the University of Montana. She then transferred to Montana State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. Julie Ann taught in Belgrade, Geyser, Oak Harbor, Washington, and Bozeman, but her true calling was being a mom and wife.

In 1979 Larry and Julie Ann moved to Bozeman. Getting close to retirement, and having raised their three children, they sold their place, moved to Bigfork, and built their dream home on Echo Lake in 1994. Together, Larry and Julie Ann enjoyed traveling to various destinations in their motor home, but more than anything else they deeply loved spending time on the lake. Their lake home was a special place, a true gathering and vacation spot for their children, grandchildren, friends, and relatives.

Larry and Julie Ann are survived by son Stephen and wife Shannon of Phoenix, Arizona; son Scott and wife Megan of Kalispell; daughter Siri and husband Jeff of Redmond, Washington; six grandchildren, Paul, Cade, Morgan, Alayna, Aniston, and Audrina; Julie Ann’s sister Sue of Bozeman; and Larry’s brother Dave of Post Falls, Idaho; and many nieces and nephews. 

Larry was preceded in death by his parents and sister Cheryl. Julie Ann was preceded in death by her parents.

A joint celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at 1 p.m. at Crossroads Christian Fellowship in Bigfork.