Donald Ray and Shirley Elizabeth Gregory

He grew strong and conquered the fever. Shortly after, it was necessary that the family move to Whitewater, Missouri because little Don had asthma. The Granite City, Illinois factories’ pollution made it difficult for him to breathe. The suggested remedy was a country setting. It would benefit him greatly, as to be in bad health, this would not be his final resting place.

Don’s dad traveled back and forth from Granite City to Whitewater on the weekends to spend time with the family. Don grew stronger and stronger. He eventually met Shirley and they married when he was 17. Right away they began their family. They had four little girls. Just when they thought there would be no more children, Shirley was expecting a fifth. God had other plans, and the fifth girl passed away. While the sadness and despair were great, this would not be his final resting place.

Don and Shirley were a great team. Entrepreneurs . . . there was no fear about trying something new. They had a garage where they worked on cars. They made ceramics. They had a donut shop. They even gave the leftovers to a local that fed them to his animals. Nothing was wasted. They loved auctions and repurposing their finds. Don often said, “There’s a lot of life left in this!” Even if something was worn and tattered, Don knew this was not its final resting place. It could still be used, cleaned up, admired.

They began a company called Gregory News Agency. They took delivering newspapers to a whole new level. Vehicles would be gutted and paper rolling equipment was installed. They were adapt at rolling papers and throwing them across their vehicles onto properties with precision. They could drive, roll papers, and throw simultaneously and all this at 3 and 4 in the morning. Although Shirley did manage to take out a couple of mailboxes from time to time with the car. The kids and grandchildren all became excellent marksmen for paper throwing. But this would not be his final resting place.

Time is a curious thing. It seems to go quickly when we aren’t looking and at other times it slows to a crawl. There was one such event that took place where time became slow motion. Don found his grandson. He gently held him close, prayed a quick prayer, and said, “This is not your final resting place.” With a will that only a Father can extend, he placed this boy in his heavenly Father’s hands. And God agreed. He answered the prayer, and the boy grew strong just like his Granddad.

As we all come to do and look forward to doing, Don retired from his company and moved back to Whitewater where it all began. They made their home in a nice quiet place in the country where time seemed to slow down. Their golf cart found its way around the property as they worked on different things in the yard. There was a contentment, a satisfaction that rested between them. But he knew this too would not be his final resting place.

On August 11, 2022, Donald Ray Gregory passed away and most would say he was put to rest in a little cemetery in Crump, Missouri. But we all know this is not his final resting place. He isn’t resting there. He’s visiting and hugging necks. He’s telling another story and laughing heartily. He’s throwing papers at mansion doorsteps and Shirley is right by his side. He’s got a lot of life left in him . . . an eternity.