Gary Gene Gregory

Gary Gene Gregory, 62, died peacefully in Hospice care in Belton, S.C., Aug. 11, 2011.

Gary was born April 21, 1949, in Newport, Wash., as the youngest son of Walter and Betty Gregory. He graduated from Priest River High School in 1967.

Gary joined the U.S. Air Force soon after. His passion for the flight industry led him to the Aleutian Islands, Cold Bay with Reeve Aleutian Airways. Gary experienced many hours flying the famous Grumman Goose mail plane that serviced mail delivery and cargo service to many of the Aleutian chain destinations. He also worked with the fishing industry at Cold Bay for Peter Pan Seafoods. Gary spent many hours flying as a representative for Peter Pan Seafoods, flying fish and injured victims of the fishing industry to Anchorage or Seattle. After leaving that industry, his passion for airplanes guided him to be a partner in creating Aero Twin of Alaska, the dealer for Cessna airplanes and parts.

After developing health problems in the late 1980s, Gary lived near Talkeetna in his cozy, rustic cabin off of the Talkeetna Spur Highway. His beloved dog, Dummy, who was his constant companion and exceptionally smart, is buried there. Dummy held a very special place in Gary’s heart.

In 1996, Gary moved to Belton, S.C., to be near his very dear friends, Jo and Bob Evatt. Upon arriving, he acquired four surrogate Hawthorne sisters, who loved him like a brother, and he enjoyed many happy times with them. While in South Carolina, Gary developed a new hobby in computers and became very proficient.

Gary left many friends wherever he lived and worked because of his generous and helpful attitude.

Gary is survived by his father, Walter Gregory of Newport, Wash.; brother, Jerry and wife Gwen Gregory of Sunshine; niece and grandniece, Sarah Townsend and Alex Balivet-Brown of Seattle, Wash.; aunt, Louise Peterson of Spokane, Wash.; aunt, Bonnie Mohn of Longmont, Colo., other family in Colorado; very special friends, Jo Evatt, Sue Trotter, Cora Roehm and Dora Bobson of Anderson County, S.C., who dearly and lovingly cared for him during his illness; and many friends in Talkeetna, Sunshine and Trapper Creek and Anderson County, S.C.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Betty Gregory; and cousin, Joey Peterson.

Gary and his playful sense of humor will be missed very much by his family and all those who knew him.

A graveside service is at 1 p.m., Aug. 18 at the Newport cemetery. Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest book at Sherman-Knapp.com. A separate memorial was Aug. 15 in Belton, S.C.

Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home in Newport, Wash., is in charge of arrangements.