Spokane7
50°
August 30, 2010 in City
Mourners recall the life of pastor, nurseryman
Wayne Scott Creach
(Full-size photo)(All photos)
Hundreds gathered today on a crisp summer morning to grieve the loss of a man whose preaching and gardening left an unforgettable imprint on those who met Pastor Wayne Scott Creach.
The service, at the Greenacres Baptist Church that Creach founded, included only a few mentions of the questions surrounding his death late Wednesday night when he was shot by Spokane Valley Police Officer Brian Hirzel.
Friends, family and parishioners filled the sanctuary, youth building and a large event tent erected on the church lawn. Some attendees had to stand outside and watch video feeds of the service.
“Pastor Scott loved his wife and his family. He will be greatly missed,” colleague Eric Walsh said during the service. “The Creach family finds great comfort as they see God’s plan unfolding through this tragedy.”
Walsh and others spoke of a man whose unyielding principles attracted those both to his church and his greenhouse, the Plant Farm.
“He had an opinion about everything and didn’t mind telling you what that opinion was,” Walsh said. “Inside that gruff exterior was a tender heart. Pastor Scott was a good shepherd who was loved by his sheep.”
Phyllis Stephens, a friend and colleague of Creach’s, said the shooting was a tragedy not only for the family but for Hirzel and his family
“He always had and opinion, but he always had a great smile,” Stephens said of Creach. “It’s wonderful so many people came today. It’s like he said, something good will come from this. We don’t know what it is yet, but there will be something good from this.”
Closing Geiger: Wise or worrisome? 
horse_feathers on August 30 at 10:09 a.m.
At he very least I hope the SPD do not use Burbridge or Furguson as their past record of predjudice in the Zehm investigation should preclude their involvement.
spokanada on August 30 at 10:20 a.m.
it’s been longer than 72 hours. Why can’t they release the name of the killer?
bdr on August 30 at 12:35 p.m.
boy oh boy………what a threatening looking man…….
145 lbs and 74 years old.
Ill bet we find the cop was trying to remove the preachers weapon!
jenilynn on August 30 at 1:56 p.m.
this is just a sad thing for all involved. but you know the other guy was armed so unless someone was in the back of the police car and knows what took place, who is anyone to pass judgement on what happend.
Nugget on August 30 at 5:36 p.m.
Talk about biased reporting!!!!!!!!! Or better yet… selective reporting. Both of my comments have been deleted.
I spoke the truth about the “pastor” but whomever is monitoring this board thinks what I said should not be on here. Sorry. What I said is the truth & it will be reported on sooner or later.
Also, I believe I will now cancel the subscription I’ve had with this paper for 20+ years.