John Richard Gregory Jr.

John Richard Gregory Jr., father, father-in-law ("second dad"), brother, and friend, passed away at his home on Sunday, January 4, 2026. Born in Delray Beach, FL on July 22, 1943, at a time when Delray had dirt roads and children were born at home, he was the son of John Richard Gregory Sr. (Chief of the Delray Beach Fire Department) and Elizabeth Ida Gregory. He married the love of his life, Rebecca "Becky" Babb, in 1969. When he first met Becky, she was home only for the summer in her hometown of Brevard, North Carolina (on break from college at the University of North Carolina) and he was in Brevard to deliver flowers grown on Pineland Farms of Boynton Beach, Florida. It was clear, though, that they were a perfect match. During the next decade that they would later term "before the boy," John and Becky traveled America, camped and had a great time together, including an epic, month long trip to Alaska from Delray in a modified Chevy Suburban that Becky named "Seamour." After their respective parents impressed upon them that it was now time to grow up and settle down, John and Becky built a home in Loxahatchee, FL and helped to found St. Peters United Methodist Church in Wellington, Florida. A few years later, they added their son, John "Jay" Richard Gregory III, to the family. Theirs was an ideal life of family, fun and togetherness while Palm Beach Country grew and changed.

Anyone who knew John appreciated his easy, detailed and practical turn of mind – there was not much he could not fix, create, or build. After retiring, he was able to enjoy his lifelong hobby of woodworking. He would sign each piece with his name and species of wood and give to his friends and family - how many of us have a "JRG JR" original item sitting on a desk or table or in a kitchen? He also loved camping with Becky and, after retirement, RVing with Becky, and then RVing with dear friends. Coming as a shock to his friends and family, John adopted a cat, Dixie, who joined him on RV trips after Becky passed in 2010. He was active in the First United Methodist Church of Chattahoochee, Florida in retirement, and always enjoyed the interactions with friends and pastors. Reflecting on his adventures with Becky, raising a family in Loxahatchee and making new friends for new adventures in Chattahoochee, John's life was truly a life well-lived.

Known as a kind, intelligent, quiet, and funny man, John will be dearly missed by his son Jay, his daughter-in-law Priscilla, his sisters Mary, Margaret, and Barbara, Becky's family, and his close RVing friends from Chattahoochee. The love of his life, Becky, passed away in 2010. We find solace in the knowledge that Becky and John are back together again while remembering, "What we once enjoyed, we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes part of us."

A Celebration of Life service will occur Saturday February 21, 2026. Please join us at the United Methodist Church of Chattahoochee, Florida on that date at 11:00 AM Eastern Time. A traditional Methodist covered dish luncheon is to follow at the fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the United Methodist Church of Chattahoochee, Florida, 18 W. Main Street, Chattahoochee, Florida 32324 (850-663-4920), or St. Jude’s.