Bobby Gregory

Bobby Kern Gregory was born on October 8, 1934 in a little country farmhouse just outside the town of Dalton, Arkansas. At the age of 17, during the height of Korean War, Bobby answered the call to arms when left the Ozark foothills to serve his country in the United States Navy. After 10 years of distinguished service he received an honorable discharge. With a growing family, supreme confidence, and God-given talent, Bobby began his life-long career in the construction trade as a journeyman Sheet Metal worker. Throughout his life, Bobby enjoyed the time he spent with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His greatest joy was in the loving relationship he shared with his wife, Phyllis, to whom he was married for 58 years. Together they built a marriage that was Christ-centered and a home that was love-filled. While the later days of his life were marked by the devastating effects of asbestos exposer during his Navy days, Bobby generally enjoyed a healthy life. He loved to travel, work in his garden, maintain his yards, take in the great outdoors, and was meticulous in the care and cleanliness of his cars. It has been said, “You can take the man out of the country but you can’t take the country out of the man”. This was certainly evident when you observed Bobby. He loved animals and demonstrated a tremendous talent to connect with them. Watching him work with his horse, Silver, you realized he was at home sitting in a saddle. Bobby had a tremendous work ethic that drove him to excel in all aspects of his career. That work ethic, coupled with an unparalleled love for his family, drove him to go to work when a lesser man would have called in sick or quit. He was never too tired or too busy to give time, attention and love to his family. It was certainly not uncommon to find him playing with his children after a long, hard day at work. He would toss a baseball or throw a football with his sons or play dolls with his daughter. He took his family on fishing trips, picnics, and snow trips where he would sled and toboggan down the hills with the kids. He spent a lifetime providing, caring, protecting and loving his family. He showed by example how to love your wife and value you children. He demonstrated how to live a life of character and integrity centered on God and built upon the foundation of the Holy Bible. At his passing, the void Bobby leaves in the hearts of his friends, family and especially his precious wife, Phyllis, is filled by a loving Heavenly Father who has welcomed Bobby home with those complementary words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”. Bobby was preceded in death by his parents, James and Ethel Gregory; His Father-in-law, Wallace Ray; his mother-in-law, Charlotte Ray; his granddaughter, Hayley Dawn Gregory; his daughter-in-law, Terri Gregory; four brothers: Lavelle, Cloral, Elvis, and Neal; and his only sister, Vernelle. At his passing, Bobby is survived by his wife, Phyllis; his seven children, Bobby, James, Dee, Rickey, Annette, Lawrence and Timothy; his daughter-in-law, Sarah; his brother Larry; his 24 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Funeral services with full Military Honors will be held Saturday, Feb. 15, 2014 at 1 p.m., at the Healey Mortuary Chapel, 405 N. Sanborn Road, Salinas, CA 93905. Interment will take place Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014, at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery. Remembrances can be made to The Wounded Warrior Project in the name of Bobby K. Gregory.