James Owen Gregory, 88, of Columbia, died Tuesday, February 12, 2013. Born July 1, 1924 in Chicago, IL, he was a son of the late Lex Marsh and Sadie Yongue Gregory. Mr. Gregory was a US Navy veteran of WWII, and was a very devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and great great grandfather. He was co-founder of Gregory Electric Company, and was a faithful and active charter member of St. Luke United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Frances Rabon Gregory; a son, James A. "Bo" Gregory (Kathy); daughters, Lynn Gregory, and Hope Elizabeth Prudence (James); grandchildren, Stacey Juergens (Kenneth), Heather Grimes (Bart), John Matthew Gregory, James Michael Gregory, Andrew Blakley Gregory, Samuel Austin Gregory, Stephanie Parks Hightower (Jason), Joseph Benjamin Culler (Betsy), Frances Shaye Timmons (Christopher), Ashlyn Brooke Sullivan, James Gregory Sullivan, and Jessica Marie Prudence; great grandchildren, Jasmin Juergens, Andrew Juergens, Courtney Grimes, Dalton Grimes, Stephen Clamp (Charity), Amber Long, Lia Culler, and Riley and Gavin Hightower; great great grandchildren, Coleton Slay, Landon, Logan, and Payton Clamp; and brother, Thomas L. Gregory. In addition to his parents, Mr. Gregory was preceded in death by son, Robert Dean Gregory; grandson, Gregory Stephen Parks; and sister, Maude Gregory Wilson.

A graveside service for Mr. Gregory will be held at 11 o'clock, Friday, February 15th at Greenlawn Memorial Park, with The Rev. John Jordan officiating. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 o'clock, Thursday evening at Shives Funeral Home, 5202 Colonial Drive, Columbia.