Obituary of James H. Creel

Doctor James H. Creel, Jr. passed away at home on November 30th. Doctor Creel lived in Chattanooga since the 1970’s and he originally hails from Texas where he attended and graduated from the University of Texas. He obtained his medical education at the University Autonoma of Guadalajara and upon graduation completed his post graduate training at St Mary’s Hospital of McGill University in Montreal, Canada. Doctor Creel was well known nationally and regionally and he established the first EMS System in Northwest Georgia and served as its medical director. In his role he served as a Senior Oral Examiner for the American Board of Emergency Medicine for 25years. In addition, he served many roles at Erlanger Health Systems as Chief of Staff, Chief Medical Officer, and Chief of Emergency Medicine. He was most proud of establishing the first Emergency Medicine Residency in the University of Tennessee Health Science serving as the first Interim Chair and first Program Director. Also, he established the first EMS Fellowship in Emergency Medicine at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences. Doctor Creel was preceded in death by his parents Captain James Creel of the United States Army Air Corp and Edith Burt Creel. Doctor Creel is survived by his wife Linda of 45 years and six children- Kerry Creel Slattery (Steven), Jennifer Creel (Rastko), Laura Creel Wilkinson (Nick), Alison Creel Harris (Blake), Patrick Burt Creel and Vonnie. He is also survived by 9 grandchildren: Amelia, Caroline and Grant Slattery, Anna Phelan and Oliver Stefanovic, Niko and Hudson Wilkinson, and Leo and Cameron Harris. Doctor Creel and wife Linda are long time members of the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. Visitation will take place Sunday, December 4th at Wann Funeral Home 1:oo pm-4:00 pm with a Rosary to follow on Monday, December 5th at 2:30 p.m. at Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church followed by a Funeral Mass at 3:00 p.m. Donations can be made to the Chattanooga Emergency Medicine Foundation, PO Box 909, Soddy Daisy, TN 37384 or to America’s Mighty Warriors, PO Box 8114, Surprise, AZ 85374. Arrangements are by Wann Funeral Home & Cremation Center, at the foot of historic Lookout Mountain, St. Elmo. (423) 821-7551 Share your memories, stories and photos at www.wannfuneralhome.com.