Originally posted 5 p.m. July 5, 2024
Updated 6:30 p.m. July 9, 2024
CHULA — Tiftarea Academy is mourning the death of longtime educator Dr. Larry Creamer.
Creamer, guidance and college admissions counselor at Tiftarea, died July 3.
“With the heaviest of hearts, we must share the passing of Dr. Larry Creamer,” Tiftarea stated in a Facebook post. “Dr. Creamer touched many lives during his storied career at TA and various other schools. We were extremely blessed to have him serve a major portion of his career here. His legacy will never be forgotten.”
“Just an incredible man,” said Mike Patrick, former Tiftarea and former Valwood coach who was one of Creamer’s closest friends. “He was such an influence on so many people. He supported all the students.”
Comments on the Tiftarea Facebook post and on his obituary at Albritton Funeral Directors are not only numerous, but all speak of his dedication to his students and his warm heart.
Creamer’s and Patrick’s friendship went back decades.
Patrick said Creamer remembered meeting him when Patrick was a student at Westbrook and Creamer was there to drum up enrollment for Albany Junior College. They got to know each other better when Patrick began coaching at Westbrook, then worked together years later at Tiftarea.
In addition to his work during school hours, Creamer was a constant at athletic events, school activities and his favorite haunts in Tifton, including Don Julio’s, Northside Cafe, Waffle House and Pit Stop BBQ & Grill.
He always sat in a chair in the right field corner at Panthers baseball games. Earlier this year, a sign was posted in his favorite seating spot as “Dr. Creamer’s Corner.” In both the Panthers’ old and new gymnasium, Creamer could always be found in the visitors’ corner.
Though illness kept him away from Tiftarea’s campus for the last six months of his life, Patrick said Creamer found ways to stay involved.
Athletics weren’t his only love.
“He always supported one-act play and literary,” said Patrick. Creamer’s life took him everywhere. Patrick said he had judged Miss Georgia pageants. There were stories involving former Georgia Gov. George Busbee and Paula Dean.
“He loved to travel,” said Patrick, who joined him on several adventures.
According to his obituary, Creamer also worked at Tift County High, Valwood, Valdosta High, Dougherty High and Albany Junior College.
Donations in Creamer’s memory may be sent to Tiftarea or to Valwood.