PERCY, MD, FACS, FICS, Thomas
75, of Kettering, Ohio, passed away on 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
PERCY, Thomas
