Nan Creel was born and raised on a ranch in Texas. Her dad was a foreman making $40 a month. He also broke horses on nearby ranches for $10 per horse. Nan's mom cooked for the cowboys that worked on the ranch, while she raised her three children, Nan and Nan's two brothers. Nan's grandparents, and her nine uncles and aunts, lived and worked on ranches throughout Texas, raising cattle, horses, sheep and goats.

The opportunity arose for Nan to return to ranching upon her retirement as a librarian at the University of Texas/El Paso and the Dallas Independent School District.

Being a native Texan from Eldorado, Texas, Nan and her brothers Dale McHalek and Barry McHalek, who have had a roles in the Ranch's development, have always had an interest in Texas Longhorn cattle and horses.

Since the Longhorn is a sturdy breed that requires less maintenance than most, Nan believed that Longhorns would bring both pleasure and profit. So, she and her husband, Ed, began acquiring land and proven breeding stock to produce high quality off-spring. Acquiring Longhorns with exceptional bloodlines and demonstrated breeding capacities became their goal.

As their breeding program became established, Triple N Longhorns were shown at various Longhorn shows in order to establish a name for the Ranch and its cattle. Nan and Ed became involved with the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America and the International Texas Longhorn Breeders Association, and their local affiliates.

Family members, including sons, daughters, and grandchildren also joined the organizations and were enlisted in the training and showing of the Longhorns in order to both enjoy the animals and achieve wide name recognition for the Triple N Ranch.

Along the way, other experts were consulted, including Nan's father, Ed McHalek, the old time cowboy with a wealth of ranching experience. All were invaluable resources as the Triple N Ranch grew and developed.