Lionel Thomas Gregory Jr.

Lionel T. Gregory, Jr. was born March 10, 1928 at home. His parents were Lionel T. Gregory and Tillie Moos Gregory. He attended Agnes Cotton Elementary, Mark Twain Junior and both Thomas Jefferson and Tech High Schools. When he entered Jefferson, he enrolled in the Distributive Education program and was employed at G. A. Stowers Furniture Co. on Houston Street. When the Distributive Education program was discontinued at Jeff, He transferred to Tech in order to graduate on schedule. Following graduation, he continued his employment at Stowers. In the late 1940's he joined several friends in a western swing band named "The Rhythm Rustlers" where he, Allen Fischer and Clay McGaughy sang as a trio in the band. They performed in various localities including Bandera, Kerrville, Alice, and Medina Lake. They also were on radio station KONO on Monday, Wednesday, Friday for a 15-minute show. Eddie Cooper and J. D. Parks rounded out the membership. All five members also held down full time jobs and the band was their social/pleasure activity. They did record one record titled "Whirlwind & Time Won't Mend a Broken Heart''. But in October 1950 the draft was reinstituted and Lonnie (as he was known at both Stowers and the band) was instructed to report for induction on October 9, 1950. He was assigned to the 45 Infantry Division where he was assigned to the 700th Ordnance/Maintenance Company. The Division was shipped first to Japan's north Island and then to Korea Their location was north of the 38th Parallel and his job became shop clerk where both weapons and vehicles were brought in for repair. He was promoted to Corporal from Private First Class and remained in Korea until September 1952 when he was separated from the Army and assigned to the reserves. He returned to Stowers employment and reconnected with the Rhythm Rustlers as an occasional social activity but remained close friends with all four other members. During his return job at Stowers, an associate, Lucile Helland, harassed him to go to College since he had the GI Bill for assistance, and he enrolled at SAC in night school. Following completion of 67 college hours at SAC, he resigned from Stowers and transferred to Trinity University as a full time student. While at Trinity he was elected to Alpha Chi Honor Society, did student teaching at Jefferson High School during 1958, followed by receiving his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1959. He was greeted by many of his former teachers as a fellow faculty member and became sponsor of Senate Club in addition to teaching math. Miss Oliphint, a former teacher of his, invited him to also become co-sponsor of the class of 1962 with her. He continued sponsorship of Senate and became sponsor of the classes of 1965 and 1968. He attended night and summer school during this time and was awarded a Master of Education degree. In 1970 he was assigned to be Foundations Dean where he continued to serve under the next several Principals. His duties included calling the Substitute Teachers, and being the Administrator on duty for Extra-Curricular Activities. He chaperoned Band & Pep Squad busses, attended all athletic games, attended all performances of Band, Choral, Dramas, etc. throughout his tenure as assistant to the various Principals. One of his proudest assignments was to organize and supervise graduation exercises. Jefferson proudly claimed to "put on" the best graduation exercise/performance of any school around. When he retired in 1988, he was finally awarded a JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA which he has framed and hanging in his office at home. He was honored by a retirement party which was organized by Betty Ann Janert, Debbie Dehlinger, and many others. It included a "This is Your Life Segment" that included many people from his past including an elementary childhood friend, fellow Stowers employee, members of Rhythm Rustlers and many others from his past and current life. They also did a "roast" that included a number of his former associates. He commented, "I am seldom at a loss for words, but this is overwhelming." Many of his friends feared he would be depressed in retirement because of his very active participation in Jefferson, but he commented that he was never an early morning person, and he would certainly enjoy "sleeping til noon". But shortly after his retirement he was invited to become a board member of the Animal Defense League and was active there as Secretary and President of the Board. Following his Animal Defense League Board membership, he was appointed to the Animal Defense League Foundation where he served as President for several years. He became active in Prime Timers International where he served as Treasurer of the Local group, he and his partner joined Bexar Men and Alamo Business Council and served on their boards. Lionel T. Gregory, Jr. wore many hats during his lifetime and had many AKAs including Junior, Lonnie, Greg, Onnieboy, Ahboy, and Sunshine. He is survived by his partner of 40 plus years, and his niece Kimberly Ann Gelineau and many close friends and associates.

Visitation will be held from 6-8pm on March 8, 2022 at Sunset Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Highway. Funeral Service will be at Sunset Funeral Home on March 12, 2022 beginning at 1:30pm.

Private graveside service will be at a later date.

In lieu of flowers donations in memory of Lionel T. Gregory, Jr., can be made to The Animal Defense League Foundation of Texas, 11300 Nacogdoches Road, San Antonio, Texas 78217.

For online condolences, please visit www.sunsetfuneralhomesa.com.