He was known for the jaunty angle he wore his hats, but also for his smiling geniality and interest in furthering Missouri agriculture.

Former state Rep. Norwood Creason, a farmer whose Missouri House district included part of Caldwell County, died Tuesday at age 91 at his home in Braymer, Mo.

“Representative Creason was the epitome of a country gentleman,” said state Sen. Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph, a colleague of Mr. Creason’s in the early 1990s. “I was blessed to have the opportunity to serve with him in the Missouri House.”

Mr. Creason was a member of the Missouri House of Representatives for nine consecutive terms, from 1977 to 1994. He was chairman of the House Agriculture Committee from 1981 to 1994. He listed a sales-tax exemption for farm equipment in the late 1970s as his best piece of legislation.

He once said he ran for state office on someone else’s suggestion and eventually discovered that he liked the job. Mr. Creason said he enjoyed the legislative role of helping people.

“They get a runaround from a state agency, and then they call me,” he said. “As just Norwood Creason, I couldn’t do anything for them, but the agency will pay attention to a legislator.”

He was known as an affable lawmaker who primarily worked in committees, sometimes asking a question on the House floor but seldom speaking on issues. His major interests were agriculture, schools and highways. He served as eastern district judge of the Caldwell County Court in 1964. He ran for presiding judge in 1966, but lost. However, Mr. Creason filled out a term when his successor for eastern judge died in office.

His House district changed at various times during his tenure, and also included parts of nearby Clay and Ray counties.

Upon his retirement, Mr. Creason said he planned to restore several classic vehicles and transfer 8mm family photos onto videotape in his darkroom. He also enjoyed repairing horse-drawn farm machinery.

The Missouri House honored him last year with a resolution on the occasion of his 90th birthday. His other activities included the Missouri State Fair Commission, State Fair Foundation, Caldwell County Historical Society and Braymer Historical Society. He received a proclamation from former Gov. Bob Holden that honored his involvement in the state fair.

He served in the U.S. Army’s 87th Infantry Division in World War II and was in the Battle of the Bulge.

Ray Scherer can be reached

at rscherer@npgco.com.