John J Gregory

John Gregory of Laton passed into eternal life on April 17, 2012 at the age of 88. Born to Joe and Louise (Major) Gregory of Laton on May 23, 1923, John was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, farmer, school teacher, principal, and Christian.

He grew up on his parents’ farm on Riverdale Ave., near Laton. John is the younger brother of one sibling: Robert Gregory, deceased. In addition to growing apricots and peaches, John would help his family every day with the dairy and the milk route, delivering milk in glass quart bottles to Laton residents.

John attended Laton Elementary School and Laton High School, graduating in 1941. John continued his education at Fresno State College. His education was postponed when he joined the U.S. Army in March 1943. He completed his college degree in history after returning. While completing his B.A. at Fresno State, John met Marion Follansbee. They married April 18, 1947 at Easton Presbyterian Church and settled into their new home and farm near Laton where they raised four children and have resided ever since.

In the U.S. Army, John was assigned to Company B, 148 Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, which needed replacements in the Pacific Campaign. He saw action on Bougainville in the Solomon Islands and Luzon in the Philippines. He was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, and the Asiatic-Pacific theater ribbon with two battle stars, the Purple Heart for wounds suffered in action during the liberation of Manila, and the Bronze Star for heroic achievement in connection with military operations in Manila. Sergeant Gregory returned home to Laton after the conclusion of World War II on December 24, 1945.

John farmed field and row crops and had a dairy on the farm on Harlan Avenue. Later, John became a school teacher in addition to farming. He received his teaching credential from Fresno State College. He taught at Laton Elementary School and later became the principal at Laguna Elementary School and Conejo Middle School and director of federal projects for the Laton Joint Unified School District office. John retired from Laton School District in 1974.

John was an active member of the Laton United Methodist Church. In recent years, he and Marion joined her childhood Presbyterian Church in Easton. She and John enjoyed many happy years at their cabin at Camp Sierra, near Shaver Lake. They were honored as the Laton Lions "Old Timers" in 2005.

Marion, his wife of 64 years, preceded him in death in 2011. Children are Jim Gregory and wife Peggy of Hanford, Louise Hanada and husband Jim of Laton, Tom Gregory and wife Mary of Monument, Colorado, and Ann Walzberg and husband Bill of Laton; grandchildren Laura Gregory of Santa Maria, Kathy Curtice and husband Chris of Clovis, Jeff Dooley of Tulare, William, Matthew, Thomas and Elizabeth Gregory of Monument, Colorado, Megan Walzberg of Santa Monica, Derek Walzberg and wife Stephanie of Fresno; and two great grandchildren, Matt Curtice and Emily Walzberg.

Viewing will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 26 at People's Funeral Chapel, 501 N. Douty St., Hanford. Funeral service for John will take place at 10 a.m. Friday, April 27, at Easton Presbyterian Church 5895 S. Elm Ave. in Easton. Interment will be in Washington Colony Cemetery, Easton following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to: Building Fund, Laton United Methodist Church, c/o Central Valley District Office, United Methodist Church, 1343 E. Barstow Ave., Fresno, CA 93710 or The Creative Center, 606 N. Bridge St., Visalia, CA 93291 (a performing arts program for developmentally disabled adults).