Gene Elton Gregory
Gene Elton Gregory was called home by our heavenly Father on Sunday, April 28, 2013 at the age of 84. He passed peacefully in his home at The Faerland Terrace Community, Seattle, WA.
This beloved husband and father was born on October 19, 1928 to Elmer Alvin and Zella Jane Gregory (Smith) in Ellensburg, WA, one of three children. He graduated from Aberdeen High School, attended Grays Harbor Community College and served in the US Marine Corp. Gene retired from the Boeing Company in 1989, after 35 years of service and an unsurpassed work ethic. He was a member and Past Worshipful Master of the St. Andrew’s Masonic Lodge #35, Free & Accepted Masons, a member and three time Worthy Patron of Tyee #122, Order of the Eastern Star, and an Associate Guardian of Jobs Daughters, Bethel #45, in Renton, WA. In his younger years, he was also a member and PTA President for Skyway Elementary School and a Cubmaster for the Cub Scouts, also in Renton, WA. In addition, for several years he volunteered and was an avid election poller, one who assisted you during your voting experience.
In December 1948, Gene married Dorothy Barkley in Ellensburg, WA. Their mothers worked together and they came to know each other when they were young children. Settling in Renton, WA, their union brought four children into the world: Cindy, Lynn, Randy and Dana.
Activities he enjoyed: photography, family, gardening, wood working, bowling, family, square dancing, puzzles, games with the family, travelling in his fifth wheel with the love of his life, and watching Mariners/Seahawks games. As you can see, most importantly, the highlight of his life was spending time with his family.
Gene was known for his special gifts: his endearing love for Dorothy and his family; his love and warmth for others; an infectious smile that made you smile just simply being in his company; always a twinkle in his eyes; a hand shake that made you know how special you were; a righteous character; an honest demeanor; a most sincere, caring, and helpful volunteer with whatever needed to be done; a memory that was hard for others to surpass, especially with the dedication he had for his ritualistic work in the masonic orders. He was a loving and gentle soul, an incredible Husband, Father, and a Friend to many – he loved life itself. He was very proud to be a Gregory!
He is survived by his wife of 64 years Dorothy, sister Madelyn Carlson (Duane), sister Mari Hubbard (Jerry), daughter Cindy Hope (Bill), son Lynn (Sharon), son Randy (Francesca), and son Dana (Celeste) – grandchildren Bill Hope (Janiece), Kristine Petesch (Steven), Kate, Elizabeth – great-grandchild Andrew Hope, and, oh, so many nieces and nephews that adored him.
Gene was preceded in passing by his mother Zella, father Elmer, brother Glenn, and sister Betty Miller.
The family extends a warm invitation to join with them at the Memorial for Gene and a celebration of his life on Sunday, May 19, 2013, @ 2:00pm at the St. Andrews Masonic Temple, 505 Williams Ave S, Renton, WA 98055. Reception to follow.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. ~Psalm 23.
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My Dear Papa, Know that I love you so very much and miss you terribly. I do pray that you are at peace; that you no longer feel pain and frustration; that you know it was difficult for us to honor your wishes, as we knew you would be leaving us; that God is wrapping his arms around you with love and warmth; that you have been set free to be with your loved ones who have passed before you, and, to explore what wonders God may have in mind for you; God is good! that somehow you are able to look upon us and know we are committed in taking care of Momma for you; that you know, as we have always loved and adored you, so we will continue to always love and adore Momma. She is pretty cute, you know..we went to an Eastern Star meeting last night where the charter was draped in your honor, as a beloved brother who was called in to rest. You could tell by the look on her face that the members “better get it right!” (Oh, yes, and Momma is wearing your wedding ring around her neck….a simple way to keep you close to her…she misses you so….it hurts so to see her hurt so deeply …. ) As you know, there is so much love for the two of you, and your passing has saddened many. Although it has been just a short time, this world is just not quite the same without you, Dad! You will always have a special part of my heart that currently weeps simply for the mere fact that you are not here to hug. However, I know you are where you need to be, are in a good place, and I do feel that I have felt your Spirit since God raised you to be with him. And, I do thank God and bless each and every moment this feeling comes over me. Dad, you are such a gift to me, to us, to all with whom you had come into contact. What incredible memories you have left behind, and, how fortunate we have been to have had you in our lives for so many years. Your fun-loving spirit, your genuine smile, that twinkle in your eyes, your goodness to everyone, your loving ways, caring and righteous spirit will never be forgotten. You taught us to be the best we can be in all we do, to be an example to others as you were to us, to be kind and generous, to live, love and be happy… Thank you, Dad! Know that you will be in my thoughts daily, dear Papa. I know you are in Great Hands! Until we meet again, God bless you and keep your Spirit safe and sound, as you shine your light somewhere out there in the wide-open universe. I’ll be watching for that twinkle in the skies. To you my Dear Papa: Always Loving, Always Loved! Cindy
Dear Uncle Gene,
I was so saddened to learn of your passing. You always had such a great sense of humor and a smile that could melt a person’s sadness away. I loved watching you interact with mom (Bette). I can hear your laugh and see your grin as you and mom joke together. I can see you with your camera around your neck ready to take a picture at a moment’s notice. The hole in my heart has grown with the loss of you. But is bearable with the thought of you and mom in heaven together. Enjoy your reunion.
Love and Blessings Always, Pam
Dorothy, Cindy, Lynn, Randy, Dana and families……
My heart hurts for all of you. Gene was a sweet and precious man and will be greatly missed. There was a bit of “Glenn” in our dear Uncle Gene that seemed to help us feel like we were keeping our Daddy around. I’m certain that Dad and Bette were glad to welcome their little brother “home.” Do you suppose they’re up to some sort of mischief? Like I told Cindy (and the way I’ve felt since Daddy died), “The world is just
not quite as splendid a place with him not in it.” Love & hugs, Marsha
Dear family,
We grieve with you and understand all too well the sense of loss you feel and the void that is left with the loss of your dear Papa. What a precious man and amazing role model for all of you .. a man of honor and integrity, gentleness and kindness, a heart of service, deep love for his family, a strong work ethic .. and the list goes on. How we will miss his presence in this world. I am trusting those 3 darling Gregory siblings will be on my “welcome to heaven crew”! Thankful am I to know they are healthy and whole .. dancing together in the heavenlies. Love and blessings to all of you. Diana
Dearest family ..
You are so much in my thoughts and prayers as you go through the grieving process. We grieve with you and know exactly how you are feeling. I also celebrate with you the incredible man your Daddy is .. full of kindness, compassion, integrity, humor .. hard working and loved his family so much. I surely want those three little Gregory siblings on my welcoming committee when I get to heaven one day! What a welcome that will be. Bless you! Love to all of you. Diana
Well Dad , where do I start?. We had a way different relationship than all my other brother’s and sister , didn’t we ? From the Smart-alek Xmas, birthday, father’s day ,( basically any occasion I had the opportunity to ), cards that, would always make tears come to your eyes.To you making me sit at the dinner table with a bowl of dry dog food ( since I didn’t mind and wouldn’t stay out of it in the pantry ), right? But, through all my faults( and there were many) you were always there for me when ever I needed your help..( except when I wanted a puppy? or I wanted a car? Ugh ! lol ) I truly missed not having you at my sporting events but,understood it was because your were working your “Butt” off to make a better life for our family. I could not have asked for a “Better Dad” !!!! You were the rock of our family and always ( at least tried to with most of us? Humm )to keep us headed in the right path to making us responsible , caring , hardworking individuals.And, look!!!!! Looks like you did more than a good job, huh? We all have turned out pretty well, I say, and that goes back to you Dad. We couldn’t have been more proud of you, and are proud of you today for what you did for me and our family!!! Let alone, your marriage to Mom for 65 years !!!! What an incredible accomplishment!!!! We were absolutely blessed to have been so lucky to have you for our Dad and as a “Father Figure” for us all !!!!. Now we have the incredible burden of carrying on your legacy as you did with amazing heart,integrity, and love for everything you set your mind out to do. There is no-way I could possibly say to you in this message everything you meant to me so, will just end with this…..I always loved you with all my heart( even though I didn’t always show you ) and still can’t believe that I won’t be able to come over to “Give you the buisness” lol any longer as I always had. Thank you for the time you gave us at the end and the incredible fight you put up against that “Terrible ” disease. I will miss you forever and, you will never be out of my thoughts or memories, ever. Rest now Dad!!!! ” You deserve it” !!!! Love and miss you terribly……Dana