Richard Allen Gregory

It is with profound sadness that the family of Richard Allen Gregory share the news that most unexpectantly The Lord called Richard home on Saturday, January 8, 2022. He was 80 years old. Richard, also known as Dick to his friends, was born on July 29, 1941, in Livingston, Montana. Dick was Class of 1959 from Park High School, Livingston, Montana, where he was a standout athlete. After a football injury in 1959, Dick left school at Western Montana College and enlisted in the U.S. Army. On December 31, 1965, he married the love of his life, Sharon Ann LaValley of Livingston, Montana. Dick went on to earn bachelor and master’s degrees from Montana State University in 1969 and 1980, respectively. Then, in 1993, Dick was awarded an Educational Doctorate (Ed.D) in Educational Leadership from the University of Wyoming. A lifelong educator of 44 years, Dick began his career in 1969 teaching 6th grade history and retired in 2013 as a professor in the Educational Doctorate program at California State University - Northridge. Throughout Dick’s tenure in education not only did he teach, he also worked as a curriculum director, assistant principal, and principal for several school districts. Dick reached the pinnacle of his educational career when selected on four separate occasions as superintendent of schools in Wyoming, Kansas, and Oregon. In addition to his dedication to educate others, Dick honorably served his Nation for 20 years in the U.S. Army National Guard attaining the rank of Major.

As a native Montanan Dick’s love of hunting, fishing, and camping ran deep. He also had a passion for travel, was an avid reader, and loved outings to the zoo with grandchildren. Dick was a gifted musician and always had a guitar close by. Over the years he played in many local bands and carried one heck of tune as a vocalist. Dick had a love of food and subscribed to the old adage of rather than eating to live, he lived to eat. It was a well-known fact that on trips he would plan his next meal whilst still in the midst of a current one.

In 2013, Dick retired to Birmingham, Alabama. A lifelong faithful and devout Christian, Dick was a member of The Lutheran Church of Vestavia Hills. Dick is predeceased in death by his parents Oran Charles Gregory and Martha Peterson Gregory and his siblings, two brothers: Ronald Gregory and Donald Gregory; and three sisters: Charlotte Gregory, Arlene Gregory Stevens, and Shirley Gregory Zagar. Dick is survived by his loving bride, Sharon, of 56 years; his two sons: Mark Gregory (Theresa) of Birmingham, Alabama; and Micheal Gregory of Dayton, Ohio; and seven grandchildren: Mikaela Gregory, Madelaine Gregory, James Gregory, Natalie Gregory, Annie Gregory, Stephen Gregory, and John Gregory; as well as a host of nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Dick's life will be on Monday, January 24, 2022, at The Lutheran Church of Vestavia Hills 201 Montgomery Highway in Vestavia Hills, Alabama. Visitation at 1 PM followed by a memorial service at 1:30 PM. Private interment with full military honors at the Alabama National Cemetery, Montevallo, Alabama. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Dick’s honor to the Lutheran Church of Vestavia Hills where they will be directed to Project Hope.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutsvalleychapel.com for the Gregory family.