Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Gordon Gregory Obituary
Gordon Herbert Gregory
December 6, 1930 - May 8, 2013
Gordon (Gordy) Herbert Gregory was born in Calgary, Alberta on December 6, 1930 and moved to Nelson with his family in a horse drawn wagon at a young age. At 16, Gordy left home and became a mechanic. His lifelong love affair of cars was born and Gordy could always be found working, tinkering or sharing stories about them.
After moving to Vernon; one day Gordy and a friend decided to take a drive through Salmon Arm in one of his convertibles. On this drive, he discovered his other lifelong love when he passed a pretty girl on the side of the road, Edith (Edie) Elliott.
During their courtship Gordy considered himself doubly lucky because Edie?s father owned a cabin at Pierre?s Point on Shuswap Lake. Many happy summers were spent there boating, laughing around campfires, making wonderful memories with his friends and family. Later, Gordy and Edie purchased their own cabin further down the beach and their children and their friends and family were able to enjoy the same idyllic summers there.
Edie and Gordy were married on November 30, 1956. Their sons Dean and Randy were both born in Vernon. With their sons, Gordy and Edie moved around the Interior until settling in Kamloops in 1962. Their daughters Tara and Mianne were both born in Kamloops.
Through the years, Gordy used his skills as a mechanic to become a very successful business man. He owned a couple of service stations ? the most noted was the Tiger Tune Up / Pacific 66 Station at Seymour and 6th before operating the Shell Service Station that was located at 6th and Victoria (now home to Frick and Frack). He also operated Big T Marina (trying out new boats on the Shuswap at Pierre?s Point was loved by all). In 1970, Gordy purchased the Budget Rent a Car Franchise and owned and operated it as a family run business for 28 years before selling it in 1998.
In preparation for retirement, Gordy and Edie started travelling to California and Mexico. They started out in a truck and camper and eventually moved up to a fifth wheel trailer. All in preparation to become one of the original snowbirds ? 6 months here and 6 months down in California. In 1992, now retired and ready for their next adventure, they sold their house and purchased a lot on the Shuswap at Chase (later known as Chabelos). As one of the founding members of the Chabelos trailer park in Chase, Gordy and other lot owners worked hard to make it not only a special place for family to visit but one that they would enjoy living in.
Once their snowbird days were behind them, Gordy and Edie moved back to Kamloops and in 2004, Gordy built their new house next to daughter Tara and her family. He lived there until sadly health issues required the move to Ridgeview Lodge last fall.
Gordy loved working on cars, doing odd jobs around his house and helping others with theirs, boating, gardening and listening to classic country and western music. In retirement, Gordy was thrilled to have more time to play golf, enjoy time with his animals (Molly, Samantha and most beloved Buddy) and most importantly his grandchildren.
Family meant everything to Gordy and all who knew Gordy enjoyed his wonderful sense of humour and twinkle in his eyes. His great sense of humour was there for all to enjoy right up until he took his final breath which ironically was just as the lawnmower went by outside his window at Ridgeview. Ironically because Gordy loved to get out and mow the lawns and had done so right up until his move to Ridgeview. We are sure that Gordy is busy mowing the greens in Heaven right now.
Gordy was predeceased by his parents, Kenneth and Mina Gregory, younger brother Richard, sister Jean Hutchin, son Dean and daughter Mianne and his nephew Arden Gregory.
Gordy will be deeply missed and his memories cherished by his wife Edie, son Randy (Annette), daughter Tara (Peter Kiss), grandchildren Cody and Tegan Gregory and Annika and Karrie Kiss, his twin brother Frank, his nieces Glenda Cole and Eva Aguilar, nephews Tim, Dan and Andy Gregory.
No service will be held at Gordy?s request. The family will hold a gathering of friends and family at a time yet to be determined to celebrate his life. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Alzheimer Society Research Program in memory of Gordy.
The family would like to thank the staff at Ridgeview Lodge for making Gordy?s last few months of life as dignified as it could be.
We will always be very appreciative of their hugs and support and their great sense of humour.
December 6, 1930 - May 8, 2013
Gordon (Gordy) Herbert Gregory was born in Calgary, Alberta on December 6, 1930 and moved to Nelson with his family in a horse drawn wagon at a young age. At 16, Gordy left home and became a mechanic. His lifelong love affair of cars was born and Gordy could always be found working, tinkering or sharing stories about them.
After moving to Vernon; one day Gordy and a friend decided to take a drive through Salmon Arm in one of his convertibles. On this drive, he discovered his other lifelong love when he passed a pretty girl on the side of the road, Edith (Edie) Elliott.
During their courtship Gordy considered himself doubly lucky because Edie?s father owned a cabin at Pierre?s Point on Shuswap Lake. Many happy summers were spent there boating, laughing around campfires, making wonderful memories with his friends and family. Later, Gordy and Edie purchased their own cabin further down the beach and their children and their friends and family were able to enjoy the same idyllic summers there.
Edie and Gordy were married on November 30, 1956. Their sons Dean and Randy were both born in Vernon. With their sons, Gordy and Edie moved around the Interior until settling in Kamloops in 1962. Their daughters Tara and Mianne were both born in Kamloops.
Through the years, Gordy used his skills as a mechanic to become a very successful business man. He owned a couple of service stations ? the most noted was the Tiger Tune Up / Pacific 66 Station at Seymour and 6th before operating the Shell Service Station that was located at 6th and Victoria (now home to Frick and Frack). He also operated Big T Marina (trying out new boats on the Shuswap at Pierre?s Point was loved by all). In 1970, Gordy purchased the Budget Rent a Car Franchise and owned and operated it as a family run business for 28 years before selling it in 1998.
In preparation for retirement, Gordy and Edie started travelling to California and Mexico. They started out in a truck and camper and eventually moved up to a fifth wheel trailer. All in preparation to become one of the original snowbirds ? 6 months here and 6 months down in California. In 1992, now retired and ready for their next adventure, they sold their house and purchased a lot on the Shuswap at Chase (later known as Chabelos). As one of the founding members of the Chabelos trailer park in Chase, Gordy and other lot owners worked hard to make it not only a special place for family to visit but one that they would enjoy living in.
Once their snowbird days were behind them, Gordy and Edie moved back to Kamloops and in 2004, Gordy built their new house next to daughter Tara and her family. He lived there until sadly health issues required the move to Ridgeview Lodge last fall.
Gordy loved working on cars, doing odd jobs around his house and helping others with theirs, boating, gardening and listening to classic country and western music. In retirement, Gordy was thrilled to have more time to play golf, enjoy time with his animals (Molly, Samantha and most beloved Buddy) and most importantly his grandchildren.
Family meant everything to Gordy and all who knew Gordy enjoyed his wonderful sense of humour and twinkle in his eyes. His great sense of humour was there for all to enjoy right up until he took his final breath which ironically was just as the lawnmower went by outside his window at Ridgeview. Ironically because Gordy loved to get out and mow the lawns and had done so right up until his move to Ridgeview. We are sure that Gordy is busy mowing the greens in Heaven right now.
Gordy was predeceased by his parents, Kenneth and Mina Gregory, younger brother Richard, sister Jean Hutchin, son Dean and daughter Mianne and his nephew Arden Gregory.
Gordy will be deeply missed and his memories cherished by his wife Edie, son Randy (Annette), daughter Tara (Peter Kiss), grandchildren Cody and Tegan Gregory and Annika and Karrie Kiss, his twin brother Frank, his nieces Glenda Cole and Eva Aguilar, nephews Tim, Dan and Andy Gregory.
No service will be held at Gordy?s request. The family will hold a gathering of friends and family at a time yet to be determined to celebrate his life. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Alzheimer Society Research Program in memory of Gordy.
The family would like to thank the staff at Ridgeview Lodge for making Gordy?s last few months of life as dignified as it could be.
We will always be very appreciative of their hugs and support and their great sense of humour.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by Kamloops This Week on Sep. 11, 2013.