Visitation:
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M.
Peterson Mortuary
212 S. Locust Street
Glenwood, Iowa 51534
Services:
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
2:00 P.M.
Peterson Mortuary
212 S. Locust Street
Glenwood, Iowa 51534
John Alvin Gregory, 84 of Glenwood, Iowa passed away March 2, 2019 in Glenwood, Iowa. He was born February 26, 1935 in Pacific Junction, Iowa to Alvin Burton and Lucille Frances (Pulsifer) Gregory.
John graduated from Glenwood High School in 1953 and then went on to earn a degree in education from Tarkio College. While attending college, he was also a vital part of their football team and was later inducted into the Tarkio College Hall of Fame for football. He was united in marriage to Mary Ann Brown on December 26, 1955 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. To this union three children were born, John B., Jennifer and Nicholas. John began his teaching career in Pacific Junction, then moved to the Glenwood School System until his retirement after 37 years of service. He had a passion for working with children and took great pride in the development and structure of their education. John also coached various sports, enjoyed his role as the director for the summer recreation program and served as the Athletic Director for many years.
His devotion was strong and love for family was unconditional. He especially adored his grandchildren. John enjoyed fishing, hunting and the outdoors. He was a member of Southwest Iowa Sportsman Club where he enjoyed shooting trap and a constant game of cribbage. John and Mary Ann developed many friends over the course of the years including “The Gang” who they enjoyed spending time with. Many Fourth of Julys, New years and card parties were spent telling stories, laughing and enjoying each other’s company. John’s keen sense of humor was one of the qualities that made people gravitate to him.
Preceding John in passing were his parents; daughter Jennifer Williams; sisters Pat Adams and Peggy Winey. Survivors include his wife of 63 years Mary Ann Gregory of Glenwood, Iowa; sons, John B. (Shari) Gregory of Glenwood, Iowa; Nick (Lori) Gregory of Eaton, Colorado; grandchildren, Brad, Breanna (Tyler), Shaila (Travis), Jordan (Ben), Jon C. (Amanda), Nicholas and Josh; great-grandchildren, Maylee, Madden and Lydia; nieces, nephews, extended relatives and friends.
Interment, Glenwood Cemetery, Glenwood, Iowa.
Memorials may be directed to Glen Haven Building Fund.
67 Condolences
Loved him as a teacher and friend
So very sorry for the families loss, my prayers and my sympathy to you all. Always liked John always had a smile on his face!!!
A great guy, one of Glenwoods best teachers,.
What an amazing person and what a remarkable life. I feel so lucky that I got to know him. Nobody could tell a funny story like John. Onery and fun loving, yet always there to help those in need. I feel privileged to have known him. I know you will miss him deeply. I’ll be keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
My sympathy to you and your family. Mr. Gregory was a great guy, He will be fondly remembered.
A wonderful man has gone to a better Place. Our prayers to the family.
He was a great teacher and friend.
Sympathy to the family. Sorry to hear this news.
Our thoughts and prays are with you at this time.. Enjoyed knowing Mr Gregpry and his friendly ways..
Some of my best memories of Middle School are of this man. He was an amazing teacher and always made learning History fun! It’s still one of my favorite subjects! God bless you Mr. Gregory and your entire family at this time.
One of my favorite teachers..we did not learn just history but some morals if you paid attention! My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time.
Our sincerely sympathy to John’s family! What a great guy! J&P
So sorry for your loss and prayers for the family! Always loved his class!
Sorry to hear of Johns passing but know he is in a better place. My condolences to the family. He was a great teacher and man
We planted a lot of trees and lined a lot of ball fields. I recall the time he turned in 25 hours for one day on our time sheet.
Mr. John Gregory was a Dear Friend of ours for many, many years. He taught Sandy in 8th Grade , and all the Students loved Mr. Gregory. I, for one, enjoyed John in Glenwood and on the many fishing trips in Minnesota. John was a Friend to all and will always be missed as John is now walking with the Good Lord in the Garden of Heaven.
Blessings and comfort at a difficult time. Many good memories at Tarkio College. Joe & Ruth Farquhar
Always appreciated Mr. Gregory. So thankful that I took knowing every United States President from Washington, Adams, Jefferson all the way to Bush and now continue to add as we elect more. Our sincere thoughts with his family. He was an absolute awesome instructor!
So sad to hear this. He was such an amazing teacher. Prayers sent out to his family. He will be missed.
John was one my favorite teacher and enjoy working with him at GMS…
Liked him as a teacher and a good man
Such great memories of a great man ❤️❣️❣️
My sincere condolences to the family. He was one of my favorite teachers,and made learning fun. He always had a smile on his face when I saw him and it seemed that he loved living life to the fullest whether it was teaching, fishing, visiting people etc. RIP Mr Gregory
John could find good in everything and, therefore, was always happy and made all around him happy. I have so many funny stories revolving around John and I am sure everyone that knew him does. He had the perfect perspective on most of life’s issues.
We lined many baseball and softball fields. He even turned in a 25 hour work day. He made working with him fun and interesting.
So long old friend gone but not forgotten God Bless
This is very sad for me to hear, i just talked about him the other day, i was the first one in my class, to stand up and say all the presidents, in order, and i can still do it today, i am 51 years old, and what he taught stuck with me for life, he also played volleyball. he will be so missed, , to his family ,you were very lucky to have this man in your life, , prayers for your family, may you rest in peace Mr, Gregory,
Mr john Gergory was my 8th grade history teacher, , he played volleyball , he had his classes, stand up one at a time and say the presidents in order first to last, , and i can still say them all to this day, he was my favorite teacher in middle school, , he will be missed, RIP,
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. He was a great guy for sure!
Oh my…I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. Gregory was one of my favorite teachers! I have been visiting my Aunt Lola (99) at Glen Haven as she is in rehab for a broken hip; I have seen Mr. and Mrs. Gregory several times to say “Hi”.
Mr. Gregory was an amazing teacher and not easily forgotten by any of his past students. He made learning enjoyable and told the best “Dad” jokes there was. He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him. My sincerest condolences to his family and friends at this sad time.
Sincerely,
“Mitzy Jean”
So sorry for your loss to his family. Memories of my first year in Glenwood. A special teacher and man. You will be missed. R.I.P Mr G.
Such a wonderful teacher and friend!!!
Prayers of comfort and love to John’s family. He was always such a kind man.
The Heritage, that John leaves,is the Knowledge,of the Youth he Touched.John’s Grace, made us All want to be Better.
One of my favorite teachers and coaches. Great guy, he will be missed. We were lucky to have known him. RIP Mr. Gregory
Goodbye, old friend.
Glenwood has lost a legend but heaven has gained the ultimate coach, educator, mentor and great man. May you rest in peace John.
He was my favorite teacher. I still have the presidents memorized thanks to him. He made history fun.
Rest in peace.
Not only was Mr. Gregory my teacher whom I dearly loved… he made learning the Presidents fun! But mostly I remember him as Santa when I was a little girl! He would visit our house dressed as Santa and he and my Dad would put on the big show! (I figured him out early on though because he was the only person who called me “Heather Feather” and he’d slip up!) Thank you Mr. Gregory for the smiles, laughs and pure childhood joy! My condolences to the family! May God comfort you and give you peace.
My sympathies to John’s family. So many great memories! RIP
Sending prayers to the Gregory family. Mr. Gregory was truly one of a kind. He made learning history fun! Rest in peace.
Such a nice man and good neighbor. Prayers to you all.
A true example of a man. I agree with every description shared. Part of his legacy lives on in my family. My 13 year old son and I have verbal races seeing who can recite all the presidents the quickest-and with accuracy! Thank you Mr.Gregory! Blessings of peace to the whole family.
Thoughts and prayers for John’s family. Such a wonderful teacher and friend. The community will miss Mr. “G”. Always a smile, joke and kind words. Rest In Peace.
Best teacher I ever had. Put a twist on history that made it exciting to learn. 10 years later I ran into him at the homecoming parade and he remembered my name and what year I was in his class. Wonderful person. Sorry for your loss.
My siblings had Mr. Gregory as their teacher and my mom knew him well. She moved to Villisca in 1966 and 20+ years later she was here for homecoming and saw Mr. Gregory and he remembered her. He was that kind of man and treasured by so many as a truly wonderful person. My sympathy to the family.
Traveled the world, never forgot my Goofy History teacher. He could make history real and fun. Goodby Lobster man.
I have many good memories of Mr. Gregory and his history class. He had the right touch for teaching middle-school kids!
One of my favorite junior high teachers. So sad to hear of his passing; may he rest in peace.
Maryann & families,
John will be missed. He was my eighth grade history and home room teacher and he made learning fun. He loved to tease and was well respected by his students. The community has lost a great teacher, coach, and family man. May he rest in everlasting peace.
A great guy who touched so many lives! He was one of those people that always had a smile, a joke and a gift of making everyone smile just by being around him. Prayers for the family!
So sorry to hear of John’s passing, he was a great guy to work with & you could never find anyone with a better sense of humor!, He surely will be missed!!
Prayers off comfort and grace
Deepest sympathy sent.
A good teacher, a good coach, a good man. my condolences to the family.
Great all around guy. R.I.P. Coach
I was a friend of John”s in high school – I was so lucky to have known him in my journey here on earth. God’s Blessing to all
John was a good friend in High School. – I was fortunate to have known him on my life journey here on earth. God Bless all of you forever!
He will be greatly missed he was one of the nicest teachers and man to know. Always said hi to you when he would see you talk to you for a little bit. Prayers to the family
Some of my greatest childhood memories involve John! One the men in my life that was a beacon for how to live. He will be greatly missed. Prayers and blessings to his family as they grieve.
I remember Mr. Gregory fondly. He was a kind and funny teacher. My thoughts are with his family.
Such a great teacher that you could tell he truly loved teaching. We learned many things from this man in and out of the classroom. He will always be thought of fondly. Many prayers for his family.
Many condolences to your family. Mr. Gregory was a great teacher and individual. May he rest in peace.
My sincere condolences to you all. I have attended a LOT of school, but Mr. Gregory has always ranked at the top of my list of favorite teachers, When we moved to Glenwood from Fort Worth, Texas, at the beginning of my 8th grade year, I was nervous and spoke with a “funny” accent. Lucky for me, I landed in Mr. Gregory’s class. He was funny and kind with high expectations but a gentle approach. I loved that class and I have forever appreciated learning all the Presidents! I have impressed people over the years with that skill and I taught each of my 4 children. My 8 year old used it as her special talent just a couple of weeks ago in her 2nd grade class. My family will often get in the car on a road trip and I will say “Let’s do the President’s” and we all break into our special “chorus”. Now I am just thinking about how much fun he must be having meeting some of those people he taught us so much about.
Rest in peace, Mr. Gregory, and God bless you all.
Brooke
My deepest sympathies to the Gregory family. I know anyone that came into contact with Mr. G in their life, is blessed by his influence and sincere smiling face. He had a special shining quality about him. He had a special way of helping and guiding others to feel better about themselves. I am sure he is influencing others still. RIP
so sorry
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