Ryan Michael Creason, 49, of Nixa passed away on Jan. 2, 2023, after a 16-month battle with cancer. Ryan was born in Excelsior Springs and raised by his mom, Leigh Ann Moore (Bennett/Creason); Larry Creason; and Mike Moore, all of Excelsior Springs. While still in high school, Ryan was an avid athlete and joined the U.S. Army, where he acquired the skills of a helicopter mechanic, which would be the foundation of his career.

In 1996, Ryan met Tammi and they redefined love at first site, marrying within three months and sharing a great love story for 26 years. For the man that “didn’t like kids,” he collected kids like he did friends: with an open (albeit hidden) heart.

Ryan leaves four amazing children: Tielyr (and Dana) of Albuquerque, N.M.; Kaleb of Raytown; and Shelby and Kaylee, who are still at home in Nixa. Ryan took pride in everything he did but being a dad was his greatest accomplishment. His legacy is strongly instilled in each of the kids and their many friends that shared in his consistent presence and support of everything they did. The light of his life this past year was his only grandbaby, Everly, who finally made him a Grumpa.

Ryan loved his job. He served as an aviation mechanic for more than 22 years at the MO AVCRAD. He never complained about going to work; his longtime friends and co-workers would likely say that was because he saved it all for when he got there. But he took tremendous pride in everything he did and loved his country and his ability to serve – both in his 12 years of service, as well as in his civilian job.

Ryan was active and full of life and loved anything outdoors, including sports, golf, biking and shooting. If you enjoyed an activity with him, you knew he loved the competition most of all. For a man of few words, he lived out loud and with few regrets. His actions spoke louder than any words he might have lacked and to have called him your friend or family was a gift.

Ryan was preceded in death by his father, Larry Creason; and one brother, Terry Lee Creason; as well as all of his grandparents, and many aunts, uncles and loved ones. He is survived by Tammi and his four kids; his mother, Leigh Ann; father, Mike Moore; his brother, Mac (Taylor) Moore; his sister, Amy (Johnny) Zachariah; his brother, Jake Creason; and grandbaby, Everly. He leaves behind his huge village that includes his in-laws, Doug and Rosalynn Handley, Dave and Carri Eisenhauer, Mark and Laura Wells, Bryan and Stacia Anderson; 12 nieces and one nephew, Preston Creason; and a multitude of other cousins, aunts, and uncles that he considered both family and friends.

Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with services at 1, on Jan. 20 at Greenlawn Funeral Home East. Interment will follow at 3 at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a memorial Venmo fund that will be used to assist kids with camp scholarships, sports activity fees or similar opportunities to bless kids in living life and creating memories, https://venmo.com/u/Ryan-Creason-3.