Gordon Kennedy Creighton

Gordon Kennedy Creighton was born on December 31, 1932, in Dixonville, Alberta, to Fred and Mable Creighton. He was the second of four children—Eunice, Gordon, Wesley, and Willis. His family moved frequently throughout the province, and he was raised in a ministry-minded home, which deeply influenced his approach to life and service.

While attending Peace River Bible Institute, Gordon met Norma (née Johnston). They married on December 6, 1958, on a frigid winter day (-40°C) in Peace River, Alberta. Their shared commitment to ministry led them to begin their service with the Canadian Sunday School Mission in East Coulee/Drumheller, where they welcomed their first child, Daniel.

Feeling called to serve in Ethiopia, Gordon and Norma embarked on an incredible journey of faith. Before moving overseas, they welcomed their daughter, Brenda, into the world. In 1962, the family of four set sail on a month-long voyage aboard a grain-filled freighter to Africa. In Ethiopia, Gordon took on the role of Farm Manager at the Leprosy Hospital Station in Shashamane, where their youngest son, Colin, was born in 1968.

Following the communist revolution in 1975, the Creighton family returned to Canada. Gordon became the Field Production Consultant for Packwell Produce in Vauxhall, Alberta, ensuring quality agricultural production. Gordon transitioned to a new role as Field Production Supervisor for the Alberta Wheat Pool Bean Company in Bow Island. In 1986, after receiving Community Development training at William Carey International University, Gordon and Norma once again followed their calling to Ethiopia, where they coordinated Relief and Development efforts with SIM during a time of great famine.

Upon their final return to Canada, Gordon became the Manager of the Greeley Trading Company in Southern Alberta, a role he continued into his 70s. He found great joy in working with farmers and remained deeply engaged with his community.

Gordon and Norma were devoted members of the Bow Island Evangelical Free Church and later the Taber Evangelical Free Church. Their home and hearts were always open, and they provided unwavering care and support to many. In their later years, as life became more challenging, they were blessed by the kindness of dear friends and the compassionate staff at Aspen Ridge Lodge, where Gordon spent his final five years.

Gordon leaves behind a rich legacy in his family: his son Dan’s children—Melissa, Michelle, and Joshua; Brenda and John Doerksen’s family—Lisa (Daniel), Jennifer (Andrew), and Julia (Mark); and Colin and Patty’s family—Zach (Emily) and Anika (Owen). He was also a proud great-grandfather to six great-grandchildren, with two more on the way.

Gordon passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, in Didsbury, Alberta.

A memorial service will be held at Zion Church in Didsbury on Sunday, February 23, at 2:00 p.m. For those unable to attend in person, a live-stream option is available at the following link:

https://vimeo.com/event/4933617

The Creighton family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Aspen Ridge Lodge for their genuine care and compassion. Gordon will be deeply missed, but his faith, love, and devotion to service will continue to inspire those who knew him.