James Hugh McCreary

May 4, 1912 - May 13, 1997

Dr. James H. McCreary, former OSUMB Drum Major and long time OSUMB Doctor died on May 13, 1997. He was survived by his wife Eloise, daughter Susan and sons Jim and Jack.

Born in Byesville, Ohio, McCreary began twirling a sapling at Camp Lazarus under of the guidance of William Knepper (OSUMB Drum Major 1928-30) who was a camp counselor at the time He later became the drum major for Columbus North High School before graduating there and enrolling at OSU in 1930.

McCreary tried out for the marching band and auditioned before Director Gustav Bruder on the “peck horn” (tenor horn) . In his third year, confident of his twirling skills, he challenged Drum Major Wilber (Wib) Pettegrew and unseated him to become Drum Major for the 1932 season. McCreary introduced changes to baton handling to the OSUMB replacing the then traditional end-over-end toss with a center-grip toss still used today: most notably at the end of the Ramp entrance with the Drum Major’s goal post toss.

McCreary graduated Arts Law from OSU in 1934 and the OSU School of Medicine in 1939. From 1951-1985 he served on the OSUMB staff unofficially as the band physician.

In 1966 McCreary participated in the seminal meeting convened by OSUMB Director Charles Spohn to discuss the first OSUMB Alumni Reunion. The formation of the TBDBITL Alumni Club took root from that meeting and was chartered in May of 1972 with McCreary as its first President. In 1980 TBDBITL awarded its highest honor, the Script Ohio Award, to McCreary for “Meritorious Service the The Ohio State University Marching Band”. In total, McCreary served the OSUMB for 56 years as a student, Doctor and TBDBITL Alumni Club Board of Governors member.

James was a member of the marching band from 1930 through 1935. He played Tenor Horn in 1930 through 1931 and was Drum Major in 1932 and 1933. James served as President of TBDBITL Alumni Club in 1972. He was recipient of The Script Ohio Award in 1980.