- Date Of Birth: September 8, 1934
- Date Of Death: January 9, 2012
- State: Illinois
Richard “Pete” Gregory, 77, of Jacksonville, died Monday, January 9, 2012, at Passavant Transitional Care Unit.
He was born Sept. 8, 1934, in Meredosia, the son of Raymond and Pearl Louise Floyd Gregory. He married Janet Lee Fernandes on Dec. 2, 1955, in Tijuana, Mexico and she preceded him in death on March 18, 1981. He later married Colleen “Cokie” Byram Fernandes on June 10, 1983, in Springfield and she preceded him in death on June 24, 2011.
He is survived by seven children, William “Bill” (Leann) Gregory of Jacksonville, Leanne (Jeffrey) Dean of Princeton, Karen Gregory of Jacksonville, Beth Gregory of Appleton, WI, Master Sgt. Richard (Connie) Meiers of El Paso, TX, and Jennifer Gregory and Rita Iverson, both of Jacksonville; sixteen grandchildren, Kasie, Kaylee and Janet Leigh Gregory, Greg, Rachel and Matthew Dean, Jackson Gregory, Heather and Steve Lupien, Samantha, Christina and Caitlin Meiers, Cody Acree, Ian Schaller, and Brianna and Kristina Iverson; and seven great-grandchildren, Griffin, Xavier, Tyler, Izabelle, Ellyse, Carter and Kimberly.
He was preceded in death by one daughter, Debra Lynn Fernandes; one son, David Glenn Fernandes; two brothers, Billy Joe and Shelby Dan Gregory; and four sisters, Rosemary Rogers, Iris J. Bettis, Bernadine Joyce Gregory and Shirley Ann Gregory.
Mr. Gregory attended both Meredosia and Jacksonville High Schools. He then served in the U.S. Marine Corps and was a veteran of the Korean War. Upon his discharge, he attended Brown’s Business College and started his own painting business. Later, he became a salesman and driver for Lucky Boy Bread and then for Green Thumb Products. Following that, he opened Green Thumb Plants in Jacksonville. After his retirement, he enjoyed driving for various delivery companies.
He was a member of Northminster Presbyterian Church and VFW Post #1379. Pete was a St. Louis Cardinals and Fighting Illini fan. He enjoyed fishing, telling jokes, and having coffee and socializing. His greatest love was his family.
