Andrew Wayne Creel, DVM, of Greenville, South Carolina, passed away peacefully at his home with his daughter Denise by his side on August 26, 2022.
Dr. Creel, known more commonly as “Doc,” opened Haywood Road Animal Hospital and Pet Motel in the early 1970s, taking care of pets and their people until he retired at age 78.
Born in Dothan, Alabama, Dr. Creel graduated from Dothan High School in 1961. He attended Marion Military Institute and graduated from Howard College in Birmingham (now Samford University). He received his DVM from the Auburn University School of Veterinary Medicine. He went on to study post-doctoral work in canine dentistry, pioneering the field of pet dentistry in the upstate. He was a member of the South Carolina Association of Veterinarians, and in 2012, he was named the “South Carolina Veterinarian of the Year.”
Doc had a special way of communicating his thoughts and ideas. He would say, “Let me give you an illustration…”, and he would then commence to tell a story and draw a picture on whatever paper was at hand, most often a paper napkin.
Doc was an avid reader and a firm believer in continuing education for people of all ages. His home was littered with medical and dental journals, and he consistently attended seminars and enrolled in online courses to keep abreast of changes in the field of veterinary medicine.
To know Doc was to know his Christian beliefs, as he constantly called on his heavenly Father for guidance and verbally thanked Jesus for His help on matters big and small throughout each day. He served on many mission trips to further the cause of Christ around the world, including Mongolia, China, Honduras, Guatemala, and Wales.
Dr. Creel is survived by his daughters, Denise Bitzes and husband, Jim; Andrea Creel and
husband, Andrew; his sister, Janet Dulaney and husband, David; his brother, John Creel and wife, Julie; and his grandchildren, Sebastian Jeffcoat and Anastasia Jeffcoat.
He was predeceased by his parents, Marion and Loraine Creel.
The family would like to thank Lawanda Henry for her care at the end of Doc’s life. Finally, the family is looking for new homes for Doc’s cats, Blackie and Kitten.
A graveside service will be held on Sunday, September 4, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at the Graceland East Memorial Park, 2206 Woodruff Road, Simpsonville, SC, 29681. A drop-in reception celebrating Doc’s life will immediately follow at his residence. All friends and family are welcome to attend.
Notes of condolences and favorite memories of Doc may be shared with the family by clicking the link below. Please direct all questions to his daughter Denise by calling (864) 232-6733.
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