James Bennett Creed, Jr., M.D., expired on December 13, 2014, after a lengthy battle with Multiple Myeloma. Dr. Creed was born on May 6, 1946, in Port Arthur, and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1964. He received his Bachelor degree in Zoology with high honors from The University of Texas at Austin. After his freshman year, he was advanced selected to attend medical school at The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston upon his completion of his undergraduate degree. After being conferred with his Doctor of Medicine, he completed an internship in Internal Medicine followed by a two-year residency in Internal Medicine and a two-year postdoctoral Fellowship in Cardiology all at UTMB. He received multiple academic awards in high school, college, and medical school including being an honor student and member of Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society as an undergraduate, a member of Theta Kappa Psi International Medical Fraternity, and Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society.
He then entered the United States Navy Reserve as a Lieutenant Commander in the Medical Corps where he initially served as Chief of the Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine at NRMC, Long Beach, California. He then “shipped over” to the East Coast for his residency in Psychiatry at NRMC Portsmouth, Virginia, and the Eastern Graduate School of Medicine in Norfolk, Virginia, which he completed in 1981. Dr. Creed then returned to Jefferson County and established practice as an associate and later as partner of the Beaumont Neurological Center. He then entered solo practice in 1989 until the closing of his practice. During that time he served on the Medical Staff of Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas and CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth Hospital. He was the Medical Director of the ADAPT unit at the Fannin Pavilion from 1984-1994 and Chairman of the Psychiatric Section, as well as Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Beaumont Neurological Center. Additionally he was on the Medical Executive Committee and member of the Board of Directors from 1995-1999. From 2007-2008 he was Medical Director of Inspirations Intensive Outpatient Counseling Center at CHRISTUS Hospital.
He shifted the focus of his practice from an office based inpatient/outpatient practice to Psychiatric Consultant for numerous long-term care (nursing home) facilities in Jefferson, Orange, Chambers, and Hardin County in 2000.
He was a member of numerous professional societies including American Psychiatric Association, Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians, President of Southeast Texas Chapter of TSPP, the AMA, TMA, and the Jefferson County Medical Society, where he served for numerous years on the Grievance Committee.
Additionally he served in community organizations including Jefferson County Mental Health Association Board of Directors, Executive Committee of JCMHA, Delegate at Large-Texas Mental Health Association. He was the psychiatric consultant for the Beaumont Police Department, Port Arthur Police Department, as well as the Lamar University Police Academy.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Judge James B. and Lydia Creed and his sister, Jewel Elaine Creed DeBord. He is survived by his wife of thirty-one years, Virginia Barbara Mulford Creed, RN, MSN, CNS. “Ginny” was his devoted wife, psychiatric nurse practitioner, best friend, and “love of his life”. Through their many years together they shared their mutual love for their “four-legged children”, opera, reading, and Broadway musicals. Additionally he is survived by his sister, Patsy Joan Creed and numerous nephews and nieces.
A gathering of Dr. Creed’s family and friends will be from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., Saturday, December 20, 2014, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A family committal was held at Broussard’s Crematorium.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 383 Main Avenue 5th Floor, Norwalk, Connecticut 06851 or to a charity of one’s choice.
