Thomas Percy

December 31, 2020 surrounded by his loving family at Charles F. Kettering

Memorial Hospital in Kettering, Ohio. He was a devoted Christian, husband,

father, physician, and leader in the medical profession. A naturalized United

States citizen, Dr. Percy held great pride and gratitude for America and the

Dayton community which supported his medical practice, family and ability to

become a great success story.

Dr. Percy exemplified the values of education, sacrifice and hard work, and

shared those principles with everyone he encountered, especially his family.

He was a man who generously and selflessly gave from his blessings for the

benefit of others in his immediate and extended family, along with others

whom he encountered in his fulfilling journey through life.

He was born to S.D. and Cecily (Kunjamma) Thomas on July 1, 1945, at his

ancestral family home, Srampical House in Pallithode, a rural fishing village,

located on the coast of the Arabian Sea in the state of Kerala, India. Dr.

Percy graduated from Trivandrum Medical College at the University of Kerala

in 1970 where he also served as the Secretary-General (President) of the

student body.

Dr. Percy also attended T.D. High School in Thuravoor, Sacred Heart College

in Thevara and St. Philomena’s College in Mysore. As a child, he enjoyed

reading comic books, classic novels, playing basketball, soccer, swimming

and fishing. His interest in medicine arose from observing his paternal

grandfather practicing medicine for his fellow rural neighbors out of their

home.

In 1970, he married his wife Celine at Sacred Heart Church in her hometown

of Kackottumoola, Kerala and emigrated to the United States to train and

practice medicine as a Plastic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgeon at Charles

F. Kettering Memorial Hospital. Dr. Percy practiced medicine until 2017 at

Kettering, Sycamore, Miami Valley, Good Samaritan and Dayton Children’s

hospitals.

During his 47 years of private practice in Dayton, Dr. Percy was known for

providing compassionate care, putting his patients first, and his keen attention

to every detail. He was known for his affectionate and meticulous care of all of

his patients: in many cases patients became “frequent flyers” and eventual

friends. Colleagues quote that Dr. Percy was an inspiring mentor and life

coach, courteous, respectful, and dignified with a kind and generous heart. He

was sincere with his appreciation for those who worked directly with him and

all hospital staff whom he encountered.

Dr. Percy served in multiple leadership roles during his tenure as a respected

surgeon. Most notably, he served as the first minority President of the

Medical Staff at Kettering Medical Center in 1996. Dr. Percy also was a key

champion for greater diversity among the leadership and staff at Kettering

Hospital. During his long tenure in private practice, he also served at the

Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine as an Associate Clinical

Professor in Surgery helping train generations of future surgeons.

His community leadership manifested itself in service as President of

Montgomery County Medical Society, President of the Miami Valley

Association of Physicians of Indian Origin , Board Chair of the Dayton Area

Heart and Cancer Association, and President of The India Foundation of

Dayton. He was also a lifetime member of the Wright State University

Boonshoft School of Medicine Academy of Medicine.

His great passion for the arts manifested itself as a longtime member of the

Medical Society Glee Club where he showcased his lifelong love for singing

and music. He also enjoyed singing classical and popular Indian songs in his

native Malayalam and Hindi languages. Dr. Percy was a longtime patron of

the arts, including longtime support of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and

of classical Indian music and dance performances across southwestern Ohio.

He also had an appreciation for fine art and sculpture which also manifested

itself in his work as a surgeon.

In his free time, Dr. Percy was also a voracious reader and was well-versed in

a variety of subjects and fields which enabled him to easily relate to every

person he met with his intimate knowledge gained through his reading. He

enjoyed the company of his family, friends, members of his church and

colleagues. He manifested his passion for aviation in several ways, attending

the Dayton Air Show every year and taking pride in our region’s heritage in

pioneering manned flight through the Wright Brothers. He was well versed

through his reading in medicine and surgery, across various disciplines of

science, leadership, biographies, business, history, and fine art.

He is survived by Celine, his wife of 50 faithful years; his four children: Dennis

(Michelle Maladen-Percy) of Centerville; Daphne Percy Adams (Keith) of

Mason; Alex (Nancy Henderson Percy) of Washington Township; and David

(Jenelle Borchers Percy) of Centerville; six grandchildren: Diya Caroline

Percy, Varun Michael Percy, Carter Anderson Adams, Isabelle Sophia

Adams, Penelope Jane Percy and Jacob Joseph Percy; Sisters: Premila

Charanghat (Roche) of Rocky River, Ohio, Sheila Doss (Joseph) of Chennai,

India and Pallithode, India; along with many loving relatives around the world,

friends, former patients, and professional colleagues.

The Percy family would like to express its gratitude to the many medical

professionals involved in Dr. Percy’s care: R. Daniel Snider, MD, Shailendra

Sawh, MD, Mangala Venkatesh, MD, Niranjan Reddy, MD, John Mauer, MD,

Rajeev Mehta, MD, Jon Durrani, DO, Akil Patel, MD, Frank Handel, MD, and

the caring nursing and support staff at Kettering Memorial Hospital who

provided compassionate and high quality care for him.

A private ceremony and burial for immediate family will be conducted this

week. A memorial service will be announced later this year for all family,

friends, and colleagues who would like to celebrate Dr. Percy’s life.

If you wish to make a charitable contribution in Dr. Percy’s memory, please

direct your gifts to Apex Community Church, 5200 Far Hills Avenue, Kettering,

OH 45429 or the charity of your choice. Online condolences can be sent to www.TobiasFuneralHome.com