The family of James (“Jim”) W. Gregory of Liberty Township, OH, is saddened to announce his passing on May 24, 2024 at the age of 79.
Jim is survived by his four children Kelly Thompson, Curtis Gregory (Brenda Johnston), Amy Keller (Greg) and Adam Gregory (Jennifer Landry); six grandchildren Megan Keller (Beth Farr), Austin Keller (Mark Wilsford) and Garrett Keller (David Powers), Jessica Hall, Abigail Thompson and Emily Gregory; first wife, mother of his children and life-long friend Mary Alexander Gregory; sisters Darlene Trumpy (Denny, deceased) and Mary Trumpy (Ron, deceased); god-children J.D. Sweezer and Shonee Pienkowski; and numerous other dear nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, in-laws and friends.
Jim is predeceased in death by his mother Dorothy Flynn, father Chester Gregory, brother Jack Gregory, second wife Beverly Collett, six brother-in-laws, two sister-in-laws, a niece and a nephew.
Born in Janesville, WI on December 31, 1944, Jim was the youngest of four children born to Dorothy Flynn and Chester Gregory. Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army at the tender age of 17 and served from 1962-1965. Just out of the Army, Jim met and fell in love with a young Mary Alexander, married her shortly thereafter and began building a family and a career.
Around this same time, Jim was hired as a regional sales trainee at Regal-Beloit Corporation, South Beloit, IL, a manufacturer of perishable cutting tools, for the Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee region. He serviced his territory from his home base of Cincinnati, OH. He excelled in sales over the years and was eventually promoted to National Sales Manager, which brought him back to his home state of Wisconsin. After 16 yrs. with Regal-Beloit Corporation, Jim made a bold move and accepted a new position of Vice President with Brubaker Corporation, Millersburg, PA. After just a short time there, Jim realized that he could take his vast industry experience and make it work better for himself rather than someone else.
So in January, 1983, Jim started his own manufacturers representative agency, G. A. Sales Company. Though he did bring on a partner in later years, Jim remained the primary shareholder until his retirement. In September, 1988, Jim formed Hi-Tech Tool Corporation as a vehicle to offer his distributors products that the current G. A. Sales Company manufacturers did not offer. Hi-Tech Tool would also become an opportunity for Jim’s family with all four children having worked there at one point. With over 50+ years in the same industry, Jim was very well-respected amongst his peers, many of whom he was proud to call a friend.
Jim and his late wife Bev had a soft spot for dogs, particularly English bulldogs. They treated Bossman, Connor and Gunner as if they were their own children. His love for animals was rivaled only by his devotion to God and the community. Jim was a member of St. John the Evangelist Church, West Chester, OH; member of Christ Renews His Parish Team 27; and Knights of Columbus. Jim was also a passionate supporter of the American Heart Association in honor of his grandson Austin. Having hailed from Wisconsin, it was no surprise that he was a big fan of playing cards, particularly Euchre and 500 Rummy.
Jim will always be remembered for his friendly, outgoing personality, his hard work ethic and his love of life and family.
Visitation will be held on Friday, May 31st from 10:00-11:00am with a Mass of Christian burial at 11:00am all at St John the Evangelist Church, 9080 Cincinnati Dayton Rd, West Chester Township, OH 45069. Lunch to follow also at St. John.
Private family interment in Gate of Heaven Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association , 9825 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash, OH 45242. or flowers may be sent to St John Church.
The family wishes to thank the staff at University of Cincinnati Medical Center CVICU Unit for their care and compassion.
St. John the Evangelist Church
St. John the Evangelist Church
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