Who was Ricky Creech? President of Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina dies in house fire
LAKE WACCAMAW, NORTH CAROLINA: The president of the Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina along with two service dogs died in an early morning fire on Saturday, July 16. The victim of the fire has been identified as Ricky Creech, 59, who died with the service dogs Zara and Kiawah. According to Deputy Fire Marshal Chase Lancaster, the fire occured at around 1 am along Canal Cove Road, reported NBC affiliate WCET.
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Sharing deep sorrow over the incident, Paws4people in a Facebook post urged people to keep the "staff, trainers, and volunteers in your thoughts and prayers," as they deal with the loss of Zara and Kiawah.
As per reports, Creech and the two dogs were found after the flames had been extinguished at the house, rescue chief Brandy Nance said. He added,“Our condolences from Lake Waccamaw fire and rescue in the town of Lake Waccamaw go to the Boys and Girls Home and the family of Ricky Creech.”
RICKY CREECH WILL BE 'MISSED'
Board chairman of Boys and Girls Home Dave Wyatt in a press release talked about Creech's "fearless leadership and passion for the youth" which "will be sorely missed." "We keep his family in our prayers," Wyatt added.
According to the organization's website, Creech was named president and CEO of Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina in October 2020. Earlier, Creech served as CEO at Southstone Behavioral Center in Virginia. A graduate of the South Carolina Fire Academy, Creech was also the president and CEO of Buckhorn Children and Family Services.
In a post shared by the Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina's Facebook page, the Creech family thanked "all of our friends and family, we are truly grateful for all the kind words and tributes we have seen and heard over the past 24 hours." Creech leaves behind a wife and three daughters, according to the organization's website.
Announcement for the funeral arrangements are yet to be made. The Creech family asked for donations to be made "in his memory" to either the Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina or the Lake Waccamaw Fire Department.
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The Facebook post by the children of Creech revealed that both "the organizations held a special place in my dad's heart." The Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina named chief mission officer Ray Cockrell as the acting president and CEO of the nonprofit organization following Creech's "sudden" and "unexpected" death.