Obituary of Robert Emmett Gregory

Robert Emmett Gregory, Sr., 85, passed away on July 3, 2014, at his home in Greenville, SC. He was born on September 17, 1928, in Kershaw, SC, the first of four children of the late Viola Beam Gregory and Paul Emmett Gregory. Following service in the US Navy during World War II, he returned to Kershaw in 1946 and married his childhood sweetheart, Jean Kelly, moved to Columbia and enrolled in the University of South Carolina, School of Engineering seeking a degree in Electrical Engineering. After three years at USC, he decided on a career in Electrical Contracting. He began his career in 1949, first with Seastrunk Electric Company in Columbia and later with Miller Electric Company of Jacksonville, Florida. In 1952 he accepted a supervisory position with Dunn Electric Company in Columbia, where he was successful in bidding for, securing contracts for and managing the electrical installations in many commercial projects in South Carolina. In 1971, after nineteen years of loyal service to Dunn Electric Company, he resigned his position and founded REG Electric Company, INC., which he owned until his retirement at which time Mr. Gregory donated all of the corporations remaining materials and equipment to the Lion's Club eye Bank. Mr. Gregory was a longtime member of Kilbourne Park Baptist Church where he formerly served on the Board of Deacons, as a former Sunday school teacher, and on several church committees. Mr. Gregory was predeceased by his parents', his beloved wife of over 64 years, Jean Kelly Gregory, daughters, Linda Gregory Stevens and Sheila Michele Gregory, brothers, Franklin D. Gregory and Gerald D. Gregory, a sister, Sue Carol Gregory and granddaughter, Katherine Elizabeth Bailey. Surviving are his daughter, Brenda G. Brodie (Judson, III), granddaughters, Diane B. Nape (Steven), Elizabeth B. Schaufler (Jamie), Virginia B. Frick (Kelly); grandsons, Joseph G. Stevens, Brendan M. Brodie (Angie); a son-in-law, Joe Stevens; six great-grandchildren, William J. Nape, II, Elizabeth M. Schaufler, Peyton S. Nape, Dylan L. Schaufler, Rebecca L. Frick, Glen A. Frick; and a number of cousins, nieces and nephews. Graveside services for Mr. Robert Emmett Gregory, Sr. will be held at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, July 6, 2014 at Greenlawn Memorial Park Serenity Gardens in Columbia, South Carolina with Rev. Terry Hawkins officiating. The family will receive friends from 2:30 p.m. until the hour of service at Thompson Funeral Home at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 845 Leesburg Road, Columbia, SC 29209. Members of the Baraka Sunday School Class at Kilbourne Park Baptist Church will serve as honorary pallbearers. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or a charity of one's choice in Mr. Gregory's memory. Online condolences may be sent to www.Thompsonsfuneral.com.