Aftermarket icon and mentor John Francis “Jack” Creamer, 84, died March 25 at the Hospice of the Valley Sherman Home following a stroke. His distinguished career spanned more than 51 years.
“Jack was like a father to many of us in the industry,” said Bill Long, president and chief operating officer of AASA, the light vehicle aftermarket division of MEMA. “Jack sat on the board of Echlin as I was coming up in the organization, and was always gracious to extend his friendship, provide candid coaching and help guide my career. He wanted to help people be successful.” Long continued, “His comforting mannerisms provided our industry with sound leadership during times of challenge and prosperity. He touched almost everyone in our industry in a very positive way and his presence will be felt and remembered always. We have lost a good friend and mentor.”
“During the course of my career, Jack offered me good advice and words of encouragement. He was a very good mentor, not just to me but to the industry,” said Bill Hanvey, AASA senior vice president. “I always looked forward to seeing him at industry events, where he could be found working the crowd with a smile on his face. He was a very gracious man and a class act.”
Creamer’s distinguished career began when he joined Wheels Inc. (an automotive parts and marine distributor) as a salesman in 1955, rising to become its president in 1963. After the company was sold to American Parts System (APS) in 1967, he served as APS Northeast regional vice president until 1969.
During this period, Creamer served as a board member and officer of the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) and as a director of Automotive Service Industry Association (ASIA). In 1969, he joined Martin Fromm & Associates Inc. (MF&A), a multiple association management firm, as executive vice president. In 1975 he became MF&A president.
As part of his MF&A duties, Creamer served as director of member services of AWDA. He was responsible for the development and execution of AWDA’s extensive educational program. In 1995, he was appointed as AWDA president.
In early 1978, Creamer founded Distribution Marketing Services, which specialized in marketing consulting in the aftermarket, merger and acquisition activity in the aftermarket and executive placement.
Committed to the development of the aftermarket industry throughout his career, Creamer was a co-founder of the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) and a participant in the Gabelli Symposium since its inception. During the course of his years of service to the aftermarket, Creamer was honored with many of the industry’s top awards including the Northwood Institute Automotive Aftermarket Education Award, the AWDA Pursuit of Excellence Award and the AWDA Lifetime Achievement Award.
He served on the boards of directors of many aftermarket organizations, including the Aftermarket Foundation and the University of the Aftermarket Foundation. He also served as a board member of many aftermarket businesses, including Aetna Bearing Co., Bonded Motors, Dorman Products Inc., Hilite and R&B Inc. In addition to serving on the board of Echlin Inc., Creamer was appointed vice chairman of its board in 1997.
After graduating Dartmouth College in 1952, Creamer served for three years in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War, rising to the rank of second lieutenant.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 63 years, Diane Larsen Creamer, daughters Susan Creamer Joy and Colleen Creamer Brand, sons John and Michael, and 11 grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held from 2-4 p.m. on April 27 at The Country Club at DC Ranch, 9290 E. Thompson Peak Parkway, Unit 1, Scottsdale, Arizona 85255. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests sending a donation to the Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014 (www.hov.org).
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