On January 6, 2024, Leroy Jackson Gregory, Jr. Lt. Col. (USAF, Ret.), of Anderson, SC, passed peacefully at home. Leroy Jackson Gregory, "just call me Jack," was a beloved father, grandfather, son, and brother. The legacy of love and devotion he left behind was exceptional.

Jack, the eldest of four children, was born on April 25, 1942, to Leroy Jackson Gregory and Mary Buie Gregory in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Jack graduated from Red Springs High School and continued his education at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism. After graduation, Jack entered officer training school where he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force. After commission, he completed a tour in the Philippines during the Vietnam Conflict, followed by an assignment in Washington, DC at the Pentagon where he served as a Public Information Officer. It was here that he met Rosemary Noonan who would later become his wife of twenty-five years. The two would move to Florida where Jack went on to earn a Master's Degree in Journalism and Communication from the University of Florida. He and Rosemary then settled in Anderson, South Carolina where he became Professor of Aerospace Science at Clemson University from 1977 until 1981 while simultaneously becoming a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College. It was during this time that they welcomed their only son, Mark, before embarking on a new journey to Okinawa, Japan where they resided from 1981 until 1984. Jack would go to an assignment at Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio where he would graduate from Air War college before he finished his career at Allied Forces Southern Europe in Naples, Italy. He retired from the United States Air Force in 1991.

After retirement, Jack embarked on a new adventure, earning an Associate's Degree in Computer Technology in 2000 from Tri-County Technical College. He went on to create a successful internet retail company, Quality Pet Supplies, at the beginning of the online boom. In an article for Tri-County Technical College, he said this was his most enjoyable career thus far.

While Jack had an admirable career and his professional accomplishments were remarkable, his greatest role was that of Dad and Grandpa. He leaves behind his son and daughter-in-law, Mark, and Rhonda Gregory, as well as three adored granddaughters: Hannah Townes Christensen (Joshua), Ashlyn Gregory, and Kennedy Gregory. In addition, Jack leaves behind his siblings, who he always felt an immense love and responsibility for; two sisters, Barbara Gabriel and Judy Compton, and a brother, Bob Gregory (Carolyn).

The family extends a special thank you to Nancy Farrar with Providence Home Health for her care and guidance. In addition, immense gratitude is owed to Laurel Deloney for her care and companionship with Dad over the past several months.

Jack's last few years at home were spent reading, listening to music, and spending time with his family. He was known to share stories that weaved his love of history with current events. He had a gift of story-telling that kept everyone engaged. Jack's high school senior quote was "I would live to study and not study to live." This exemplifies how he lived his life. Most of all, his family will miss his stories, his wisdom, and his genuine admiration for them.

A service to honor his life and legacy will be held on Friday, January 19, 2024, at 9:00am at M.J. Dolly Cooper Veterans Cemetery in Anderson, SC.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to the Tri-County Technical College Emergency Student Fund to honor Jack's desire to help others overcome adversity through education.