Denny Cresap was much more than a founder of this foundation. His vision, hard work, and business leadership created the opportunity for the Cresap Foundation to give back to communities across Oklahoma. As reflected in our mission, the foundation supports areas where Premium Beers conducted business, and that reach exists because of Denny's determination and business acumen. Through his leadership, and with the support and partnership of his family, Gail and John, the company grew to serve communities across a large portion of our state. One of the things that always amazed me was Denny's memory. When reviewing grant applications, often from small towns I had never heard of, Denny could recall delivering beer there decades earlier. He never forgot the communities that helped build the business, and he never lost sight of the importance of supporting them.

Denny was a strong advocate for rural Oklahoma. He consistently encouraged site visits, conversations with community leaders, and learning firsthand about the organizations seeking support. He believed that the needs of small towns were just as important as those of larger communities and wanted us to understand the impact that thoughtful philanthropy could have in every corner of the state. I have always felt a great sense of pride in working for the Cresap Foundation. More often than not, the response was, "Oh, you work for Denny? I worked for him, too." Those conversations were a reminder of how many lives he touched throughout Oklahoma. His friendships extended far beyond business and philanthropy.

Denny's presence will be deeply missed, both personally and professionally. While we mourn his passing, I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with him and learned from him. The foundation will continue to honor his legacy through the work he cared about so deeply: supporting nonprofit organizations and strengthening communities across Oklahoma.

With gratitude,
Kari Blakley
Executive Director
Cresap Family Foundation

Denny Cresap's Obituary