Elvis “Ray” Gregory, 48, of Iola died Sunday, Feb. 21, 2010, at his home.
He was born Jan. 3, 1962, in Iola, the son of George Robert “Bob” and Vena Faye (Cuppy) Gregory Jr. He grew up in LaHarpe until his mother’s death. He graduated from Linwood High School and served in the U.S. Army from 1980 to 1983 then transferred to the Reserves. He was awarded the Army Achievement Medal in 1985. He was currently serving in the Kansas Army National Guard.
He was a missionary evangelist having attended Independent Baptist College in Dallas, Texas, Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Mo., and received his bachelor’s degree in biblical theology and certificate of ordination from Freelandia Bible College and Seminary. He started his own church in Copperas Cove, Texas.
He had also worked as a security guard for Murray Guard, Inc. in Tennessee, as a computer operator for First Community Services in Killeen, Texas, as a teacher’s assistant at Central Texas College and at Lifetime Surfaces in LaHarpe.
On Sept. 29, 1987, he married Cheri Lynn Breshears in Springfield. She brought one son, Douglas Wayne Nelson Jr., to the marriage who he helped raise. One son was born to their union, Brandon Lee. They later separated.
He is survived by his son, Brandon Lee, Iola; a brother, Robert “Bob,” Chanute; a sister, Bessie Crowell and her husband, Rick, LaHarpe, she had been his caregiver since July 2009; a caregiver, Katie Robb, Iola, who was like a daughter to him; a brother-in-law, Chuck Splechter, Buffalo; and numerous nieces and nephews.
His parents, an baby brother, John Russell, and a sister, Mary Splechter, died earlier.
Visitation will be from 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapels in Iola.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Iola Baptist Temple. The Revs. Roger Collins, Art Collins and Al Hartzler will officiate. Burial will be in Iola Township Cemetery east of Piqua with military honors.
Memorials to Iola Baptist Temple Missionary Fund may be left at the funeral home. Online condolences for the family may be left at iolafuneral.com.
‘Ray’ Gregory
