Claiborne B. Gregory

Claiborne Barksdale Gregory, 93, youngest of five children, died May 17, 2007. He was predeceased by his parents, John Mason Moody Gregory and Mary Greenhow Barksdale Gregory, and by his wife of almost 63 years, Mary Schaefer Gregory. Born and raised in Durham, North Carolina, he grew up across the street from what was to become Duke University. Entering Duke at 16, he was in its first freshman class. Graduating with Honors in 1934, he gave the senior oration by virtue of his winning the coveted Wiley Gray Orator's medal. Later he gave a speech on The Future of International Peace with the then First Lady, Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt. Upon entering Duke Law School in 1934, he was a classmate of a future President of the United States, Richard M. Nixon. In 1935, he accepted a scholarship from Yale Law School from which he graduated in 1937. After briefly practicing with the New York law firm of Townsend & Lewis, he returned to Durham and partnered with his closest friend, Jim Newsome. On Christmas Eve 1941, he married Mary Schaefer. Upon the outbreak of World War II, he entered the Army as a yard bird (lower than a private), rose to the rank of Captain, served in the European Theater and became part of the OSS (precursor of the CIA). Returning to America at the end of the War, he, along with his wife and new son, lived in the Embassy section of Washington D.C. He thereupon became Special Agent to the Chief Counsel of the Internal Revenue (Tax Division). In 1949, at the urging of his friends, he accepted an offer to move to San Antonio, becoming a partner with a law firm which later became Gresham, Davis, Gregory, Worthy and Moore. Soon after arriving in San Antonio he and others were asked by philanthropist/oilman Tom Slick to help organize and establish the Southwest Research Institute. When he argued a case before the United States Supreme Court in 1966, his professor of New Deal Law, at Yale Law School, Mr. Justice William O. Douglas, was one of the sitting Justices. A member of the New York, North Carolina and Texas Bar Associations, he remained an active practicing attorney, specializing in taxation for over sixty years. An avid golfer, he loved his family, the Law and his Old North State. He will be greatly and lovingly missed by his sons, Claiborne Jr., his daughter-in-law, Walton, his younger son Douglas, three grandchildren; Allison, Holly and Claiborne III, and thirteen nieces and nephews. The family would like to give special thanks to Margaret Chan and the other caregivers who provided such excellent care over the past three years. Following the memorial service, a reception will be held at the home of Douglas Gregory until 6 in the evening. MEMORIAL SERVICE TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2007 2:00 P.M. CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 510 BELKNAP The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the San Antonio Academy, Texas Military Institute or a charity of the donor's choice. You are invited to sign the Guestbook at www.porterloring.com Arrangements with Porter Loring Mortuary North.