Gary David Gregory

May 23, 1949 - October 27, 2020

05/23/1949 - 10/27/2020

Past Services

Service
Sunday November 01, 2020
1:00 pm
Blackwater Baptist Church
6000 Blackwater Rd
Virginia Beach, VA
Directions
Cemetery
Sunday November 01, 2020
1:45 pm
Blackwater Baptist Church Cemetery
6000 Blackwater Rd.
Virginia Beach,
Directions

Gary David Gregory joined our Heavenly Father on October 27th, after years of suffering from various illnesses.
He was born on May 23rd,1949 in Kingsport, Tennessee in the foothills of Bays Mountain where his heart never left. Gary loved the mountains and the serenity he felt closer to God. Gary had a gentle and humble soul. He loved nature, camping, making a garden bigger than he could manage, raising turkeys and chickens. He loved his family and his family’s music that defined his years of singing and playing the guitar for audiences small and large with his family and church. He was a deacon, Sunday school teacher, a member of the local Ruritans, sang in choirs and in his special trio with his wife Angela and Father-in-law/Best friend, Pat.
Gary joined the Navy in 1967 and retired with honors as a Navy Commander in 2000 serving 33 years active duty followed by 19 1/2 years Civil Service Federal Government as a Naval Air Flight Systems Project Manager. His notable tours of duty included, but not limited to: Medical Corpsman, Aeromedical Safety Officer, Aerospace Physiology, Naval Aviation Investigations and Analyses and Naval Aviation Water Survival …and the list goes on.
He leaves behind his wife, Angela Lynn Gregory, his daughter, Jennifer Brooke Lane, her husband James Lane, his son Sean David Gregory, his wife Leigh Gregory, his step-daughter Nicole Dawn Armentrout, her husband Blake Armentrout, his step-son Patrick Leslie Fisher, and his wife Ericka Fisher.  He will miss watching his 8 beautiful grandchildren continue to grow: Shelby Rae, Zion, Autumn, Kelsey, Emma, Hunter, twins – Owen & Adam and great grandson Lennon. He also leaves behind his loving brother, Terry Gregory, his wife Diane Gregory, his sister Selene Hammonds, her husband Tim Hammonds, many nieces, nephews, cousins, many in-laws and friends.
Thank you so much to all of the family and close friends who supported and stood by Gary over the years and loved him for the peaceful spirit and honorable man who will always be in our hearts. Gary will be infinitely missed!
Friends may pay their respects at Altmeyer Funeral Home, 929 Battlefield Blvd., South, Chesapeake on Friday from 2:00 pm until 8:00 pm and on Saturday from 9:00 am until 8:00 pm. A celebration of Gary’s life will be held on Sunday at 1:00 pm at Blackwater Baptist Church with Pastor Lynn Hardaway officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Blackwater Baptist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Blackwater Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (https://www.nmcrs.org/), or the Wounded Warrior Project (https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/) Please express condolences to the family below.

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Bob Elzy
3 years ago

It is with great sadness for Gary’s family and many friends, but great joy for Gary, that I post these memories of my friend Gary. In the Navy it was always a joyous time when you received a promotion, Gary has now received Gods promotion to Heaven. It has been said of life that although you have many acquaintances, if you have a handful of true friends you are blessed. Gary was one of those true friends for me. We were stationed together in the Navy as aviation/aerospace physiologist on several occasions. We shared some great times and some trying times together. We enjoyed competing together from chess to racquetball. I would mention fishing but he seemed to always get the upper hand in that. We both liked old cars, and dogs, among other things. I remember an old El Camino, an old Pick up truck, and an old Volkswagen “ Thing“ , as some of his treasures. I remember Commodore, and Jojo as two of his favorite boxers. I remember a time when my son Jason was hit by car on the way to school. It was just after Christmas and my wife had stayed in Kentucky to help sick parents. As l went to work, I had dropped off my son at a friends house close to school so they could walk there together. Gary was at the emergency room with me when The ambulance brought my son in. Fortunately my son fully recovered from the accident but Gary and his family were a great help during this trying time. I remember his love for his children Brooke and Sean. I remember watching Sean play football.
But above all these, I was with Gary when he turned his life over to Christ. Of all bonds that link men together to be brothers in Christ is the greatest!!
Farewell my brother Gregory we will meet again!

Thomas Wheaton CDR MSC USN-ret
3 years ago

Let me first give thanks and praise for my friend Commander Gary Gregory MSC USN. I loved Gary and everything he brought to life from his music to his deck-plate Navy experience.
I was blessed to know him upon my entry into the Navy I ran into Gary and worked with him a number of times; the last time was about 10-15 years ago when we haunted the cubicles of NAVAIR.
I’ll never enjoy again having him over to the house to play guitar. I’ll miss our exchange of Christmas cards. I’ll miss my “once a year or so” calls to touch base, hear his voice and tell a few Phys sea stories.
Gary was a Christian and a good man.
I knew Gary’s strength was fast fading the last time I spoke with him. Laura and I are crestfallen at Gary’s passing, but better for having him as a shipmate and a friend.
Fair wind and following seas. Christ’s peace for Angela and the family.

David Klobnock
3 years ago

May your family find peace in the loss of Gary. I had the pleasure of working with him briefly here at Pax River, a kind and gentle soul. I truly believe that no one is ever truly gone, they live on in our memories forever. I am quite sure he has truly found fair winds and following seas.

Gail Slicum
3 years ago

You and Garry have been in our prayers and we will continue to pray for comfort and peace over you and the family. I know he’s with the Lord feeling healthy and happy. God bless him. I loved Garry and always enjoyed when He, Angela and Pat played at church. He always had a smile and kind words when I spoke with him. He will be missed by all who knew him.❤️

Rachael Ryan
3 years ago

I had the pleasure of working with Gary at NAVAIR. I will forever remember his responses to the question “how are you today”. With a twinkle in his eye, he would say “finer than frog hair” or “if I was any better I would be triplets”. You could hear the happiness mixed in with the Tennessee in his voice. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Rich and Chanda Chiles
3 years ago

Our hearts go out to you and your family during this difficult time.

Anita
3 years ago

My special cousin always made everyone and everything important and gave his full attention to whoever he was speaking with. His soft spoken voice, his beautiful smile, and personality always made everyone seem special. I am so sorry for our loss here on earth, but I know that he is rejoicing with our family in heaven. God bless him for his tremendous service to our country and to God! Go rest high on that mountain Gary! And you now sing with the angels!!! We will miss you! Until we meet again! Love You!

HAL PHEENY
3 years ago

Dear Angela and family,
I was Gary’s senior officer and instructor when he was accepted into our Aviation Physiologist family. He came to P’cola as a fresh commissioned Ensign. Gary was recognized early for his sincerity, professionalism, and willingness to learn the basics of our profession. His smile was so contagious, even when he didn’t know the answer!
I have known Gary from those days until he retired and then again when he became a NAVAIRSYSCOM civil servant. His dedication to do the right thing and support his superiors was demonstrated many times during our time working together.
I hope you and your family find solace in Gary’s successes and reputation for being a True Christian.

Cheryl J Skinner Tri-State Military Museum
3 years ago

May the love of God surround you and your family during this difficult time,
May you come to know that the love of God is with you always,

May your memories of Gary David Gregory, give you peace, comfort and strength…

Rest now in the arms of our Lord your mission on earth is complete.
I thank you for your service to our Country and my Freedom. You will not be forgotten.
My thoughts
and prayers to the family of ….

US Navy Veteran, Gary David Gregory, is “A True American Hero” God Bless†

† Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 †

Jack and Kathy Bell
3 years ago

Gregory Family,
Words can not express our feelings. Prayers for the Family. We ask our Lord to continue to hold Angela and all family members together as you deal with the loss of Gary. Healing to everyone as we all know Gary is in the very best place. Knowing we all heal differently let us all focus on holding one another up in daily prayers. God Bless everyone.