James Gregory

James F. Gregory, age 90, of Dallas, Texas went to his home in heaven on May 8, 2018 after a 9 month battle with a liver disease. He was born November 3, 1927 in Garland, Texas to Miriam Finks Gregory and Captain Harold J Gregory. He married Patricia Patterson on August 28, 1948 until her death October 23, 2003. He married Shirley Haynes on October 16, 2004 in Ruidoso, New Mexico. He is survived by his wife, Shirley; three daughters, Jeannie McCrea, Jan Nelson and husband Page, Betty Benjamin and husband Jim. He adored his grandchildren, Melissa Knight, Patrick McCrea, Greg Nelson, Tommie Nelson, Franklin Benjamin and wife Laura, Bonnie Benjamin and partner Jill, Daniel Benjamin and wife Amanda. He also has 6 grandchildren, Gabriel, Ian, Connor, Edison, Hadley and Barrett. He is also survived by his 19 year old cat, Callie. He was preceded in death by his first wife, parents and 6 siblings.

Jim was a proud graduate of Garland High School (1945) and Texas A&M University. He was on the Garland Owl’s football team that won the state title with his great friend, Homer Johnson. He was in the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets and was a Ross Volunteer. He graduated in 1949 with an Agricultural Engineering degree and worked for Texas, Power and Light which became Texas Utilities and he worked all over Texas moving 19 times in his first years until he became the Vice President of Human Resources. He lived most of his life in Irving, Texas and was involved in many community and church events. He was involved in Lion’s club, the Rotary club, mentoring students, and working with adults with special needs. He and Pat ran a successful Shaklee business. He moved to Corsicana after his retirement and spent a lot of time at his lake house in Frankston, Texas. He was a loving caretaker of his wife, Pat, for 5 years during her battle with Amyloidosis.

When he married Shirley, he moved to Dallas and became an active member of Lake Highlands Baptist Church. He loved his family, fishing, travel, watching the Aggies win and his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Jim was in the Army during Operations Crossroads and actually carried the plutonium core of the atomic bomb in a suitcase from Los Alamos to the Bikini Atoll.

Jim was always ready to give the Gig’em Aggie sign to anyone. He was known for his love, kindness and compassion for others, his radiant smile and his ability to form lasting relationships. He mentored many people to help them find direction for their lives. His love for the Lord and his family was his passion.

The family would like to thank the staff at Dr. Trotter’s office for their wonderful and attentive care during Jim’s illness and to the many beautiful and caring nurses, staff, and physicians who went out of their way to make our difficult days at Baylor hospital much easier.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to a charity of your choice is appreciated.