Thomas A. Creel

Thomas (Tom) Allen Creel, age 77, passed away peacefully at Hospice of Dayton on October 28, 2025. He was born on November 23, 1947 to the late Kathleen Mae (Potter) Creel and Clarence A. Creel. Tom was born at Tongue Point Naval Station in Astoria, OR. From birth Tom led an adventurous life, residing in several locations due to his father’s lifelong Naval career. As a small child his favorite stomping grounds were in the Phillipines, where he acted out his role as a “military brat” there, always seeking mischief and adventures, as he was one very mischievous child!

Tom graduated from Cleveland Heights High School where he played football, then enlisted in the Army, where he served at Fort Knox, KY & Davenport, IA. Tom also played baseball for the Army. Always a “people person”, Tom enjoyed jobs in his youth like bartending and working as a manager at Goldman’s Store, where he could interact and befriend interesting people.

Tom received his Associate of Applied Science degree at Sinclair Community College and he spent his career as a program analyst for Lion Apparel, where he retired. Tom was a loving and devoted husband to his wife of 32 years, Marty Galyon Creel (married Sept. 3, 1993), whom he took excellent care of and supported immensely during her recent serious health challenges. Tom was an active member of David’s United Church of Christ in Kettering.

Tom had a fun-loving personality and was very jovial, always sharing a smile and a (VERY LONG) story with whomever would listen. He never met a stranger and was friends with people from all walks of life. Tom’s deep belly laugh was contagious. He loved to bowl and was good at bowling. Tom also enjoyed buying and selling antiques, playing euchre & Mexican train. He was a very detailed, analytical person, always making charts and spreadsheets of whatever he was researching at the time.

Tom is proceeded in death by his parents, Stepmother Eunice (Eunie) Lemke Creel, Stepdaughter Julie Deters Rude and twin infant sons. Survivors to cherish his memory are his wife Marty Galyon Creel, Stepson Wesley Deters, several grandchildren, brother and sister-in-laws, and a multitude of friends.

Special thanks to the nursing & physician staff at Kettering Hospital, the caregivers at Hospice of Dayton, to Nurse Practitioner Nora and Dr. Hambley at UC Cancer Center, Cincinnati (whom Tom became very good friends with during Marty’s hospitalizations).

Thank you, Ann Schulte for your love, continual support and great friendship. You’re the best.

Family and friends will gather from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 2, 2025 at Newcomer Funeral Home, 3940 Kettering Blvd. A memorial service with military honors will begin at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Pastor Joel Getts to officiate.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given to the American Heart Association and /or Hospice of Dayton.

To share a memory of Tom or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.