Richard MacPherson Gregory

Richard MacPherson Gregory, age 68, died suddenly on Friday, June 10, 2011, in Atlanta, Georgia. Dick was born on October 22, 1942, in Lewisburg, Pennslyvania, the son of Edith Larsen and Dr. George MacKendrick Gregory. Dick graduated from The Taft School in Watertown, Connecticut, in 1960. While at Taft he played on the Varsity football team and was captain of the Varsity baseball team. He continued his baseball career at Duke University, was a member of Beta Theta Pi and graduated from Duke in 1964. At Duke he met his future wife, Meriel Mitchell of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. They were married after graduation from Duke and moved to Atlanta, where they reared their two children and have lived for 47 years.

Dick began his business career in financial management with Financial Services Corporation. In the early 1970’s he co-founded Church and Gregory and Church, Gregory, Adams Securities, Inc. He had a successful career, always giving caring and personal attention to his clients. In 2005 he retired from Gregory Financial Services, which he established with his son in 1998.

Dick’s passion was supporting the educational institutions that he attended. He served as Chairman of the Taft Annual Fund and President of the Taft Alumni Association from 1983-1986. Dick created the Gregory Family Scholarship at Taft and the Edith L and George M Gregory Endowment Fund at Duke University. He was a member of The Founders Society of Duke University Society and The Iron Dukes, which supports Duke Athletics. Dick was a member of the Capital City Club, where he was an avid tennis player until he was disabled by Spino Cerebellar Ataxia. He inspired many with his courage and engaging smile as he struggled with the disability. Dick was a lifelong Episcopalian and a member of the Cathedral of St. Philip. Dick was preceded in death by his parents and his older brother, George M. Gregory, Jr. He is survived by his wife Meriel Mitchell Gregory, his daughter Larsen Chase Gregory and his son Brooks MacPherson Gregory and Brooks’ wife Whitney Smith Gregory, formerly of Charleston, South Carolina. He especially loved his three precious granddaughters: Eliza Larsen Gregory, Brier Louise Gregory and Lydia MacPherson Gregory, who will so miss their GrandRicky. Also surviving are his nephews George M. Gregory, III, of Seattle, WA, Christian Gregory of Washington DC and Scott Gregory of Boulder, CO; his brother in law Nick Mitchell, Jr. and Nick’s wife Caroline of Winston-Salem, NC and their children Worth Mitchell, III, of Greensboro, NC and Caroline Poteat of Asheville, NC. The family would like to express their special appreciation to Sandra Houston for her many years of loving care. A memorial service will be held at The Cathedral of St. Philip, 2744 Peachtree Road, on Wednesday, June 15, at 11:00 AM, with the Reverend Canon Todd Smelser officiating and the Reverend Canon Beth Knowlton assisting. An hour before the service the family will receive friends in the Gould Room at the Cathedral. Interment in the Cathedral Memorial Garden will immediately follow the service. Contributions in Dick’s memory may be made to The Taft School, 110 Woodbury Road, Watertown, CT 06795, to the National Ataxia Foundation, 2600 Fernbrook Lane, Ste 119, Minneapolis, MN 55447 or to the local charity if your choice.