AUSTIN B. CREEL

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AUSTIN CREEL Obituary

AUSTIN BOWMAN CREEL
Austin Bowman Creel, 85, professor emeritus at the University of Florida, Gainesville, died June 29, 2015 at his home in Bethesda, MD. The cause was a mediastinal mass said his daughter, Kathryn Creel Suarez. Dr. Creel was born on November 8, 1929 in Alexandria Virginia, where he attended George Washington High School. He moved to Evanston, Illinois to attend Northwestern University where he earned a B.S. in 1950. Subsequently, he attended the Colgate Rochester Divinity School from 1950 -1954, and was ordained in the First Baptist Church of Evanston, Illinois in June 1952. In 1959 he received a PhD in Ethics from Yale University. Dr. Creel joined the University of Florida's Department of Religion Faculty in 1957, where he taught courses on Comparative Religion, New Testament, Religions of Asia, and Religions of India. A published authority on Hindu ethics, he maintained a lifelong connection with India. Having served as department Chair from 1977 to 1990, he retired in 1998 and moved to Bethesda to be closer to his daughter and her family. He was active in many volunteer activities within and outside of his residential community at Maplewood Park Place. Dr. Creel's wife, the former Patricia Ann Harrison, and their son, Stephen David Creel, pre-deceased him. Their daughter, Kathryn, and her husband, Dr. Carlos A. Suarez-Quian, live in Bethesda, MD. His beloved grandsons, Harrison Creel Suarez and Benjamin Creel Suarez, both of Washington, DC; his sister Betty Lee Creel Johnson; and his sister-in-law Nancy Romig Harrison, also survive Dr. Creel. A celebration of his life will be held on Thursday, August 6, 2015 at 11 a.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church, Norwood Parish, 6701 Wisconsin Avenue Chevy Chase, MD 20815. Contributions in memory of Austin Bowman Creel can be made to either St. John's Community Outreach 301 654 7767 or the Zaidee Creel Williams Lectureship on Religious Studies, Attn: Adam Trusner, 1501 Lakeside Drive Lynchburg, VA 24501. 434-544-8294. [email protected]

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Published by The Washington Post on Jul. 1, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for AUSTIN CREEL

5 Entries

Sue Eldridge

January 22, 2016

I had a bad feeling when my Christmas card to Austin was returned. I'm so sorry to hear he died. He was a wonderful support to my husband, Michael Eldridge, when he was a student at the UF. We enjoyed visiting him when we were in the area. He will be missed by his friends for his warmth and caring. His grandson's were lucky to have had such a caring grandfather and he was lucky to have grandson who had such respect for him.

Dr. Philip Jayasurya

July 28, 2015

Dr. Austin Creel and his late wife were good friends of my parents (Dr. and Dr (Mrs) George Phanuel) who did their Doctorates at the University of Florida. I remember meeting him once when he visited India after his retirement. A gentle and kind person to say the least. I remember when it was time for him to board the plane he found that his luggage was overweight because he had collected fossils from Ariyalur in South India. He simply put about 3 to 4 kilograms of jagged brown rocks into his coat pockets and walked through customs (pretty sure would be asking for trouble now) and back home. My mother (who is 91) was informed this morning. Our sincere condolences.

Patsy Mongo

July 7, 2015

I remember Dr.Creel when he would come to the
Library to return books. He was a very nice person always kind and patience.

Gene Thursby

July 5, 2015

As someone who served along side and under the guidance of Dr. Creel at the University of Florida, I can attest to his extraordinary generosity, forbearance, and grace in many difficult circumstances. He was deeply committed to causes of social justice, inclusiveness, and equal treatment for all people. He had a particular appreciation for India and the principles of Mahatma Gandhi. Many of his students, internationally, were positively influenced and kept in communication with him over several decades. In short, this was a quietly admirable person who was a positive example for others of us.

July 2, 2015

My sincere condolences to the family for the loss of your loved one. May prayers strengthen you and memories comfort you, and may our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father, who loves us, comfort your hearts and "make you firm". (2 Thessalonians 2:16, 17)

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