Richard Joseph "Dick" Gregory

Mr. Gregory was born on July 23, 1942 in New Orleans to the late John Batt Gregory and Molly Rasmussen Gregory. His family lived in New Orleans until he was a young teenager and then they moved to Sulphur. He graduated from Sulphur High School in 1960 and from McNeese College in 1964. Upon graduation, he embarked upon a 13 year career with the General Electric Credit Corporation. Most of this time was spent working in the New Orleans office while living in Slidell.

In 1977, Richard had to make one of the most important decisions in his life. His father was in poor health and his older brother Billy was dying of cancer at age 39. The two of them had a small insurance agency in Lake Charles that would not survive without help. Honoring his father's wishes, Richard gave up what was certainly going to be a successful career with G.E. and moved back to Sulphur to begin running the Gregory Insurance Agency. Though he had no insurance experience, Richard had an unbeatable work ethic and a desire to be the best. Those who knew him know that he never wanted to be dependent on anyone and he certainly never accepted "no" as the answer very often! Over the span of the next 25 years, he grew the Gregory Agency to become one of the largest insurance agencies in Southwest Louisiana. In 2002, concerned about the future of the health insurance industry, he elected to merge the agency with Regions Insurance in order to diversify the business. He was most proud of all who worked with him, always encouraging them to be the best. He was especially proud to have had his only two sons, Richie and John, join him in the business.

Richard was very active in the community throughout his life serving on numerous boards and civic organizations. He was especially proud of his past service to the Chennault Industrial Airpark Authority, the Chamber Southwest, and the Rotary Club of Sulphur. He was also co-founder of the Optimist Celebrity Golf Tournament with his late friend, Roland Moss. He did not really have many hobbies unless talking on the phone counts! He loved that phone. More importantly, he loved relentlessly calling his friends, family, and customers, often at the most inopportune times! Many of these calls were to his friends in the Friday Lunch Bunch. Richard was a man of faith, and attended Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Sulphur.

Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Charlotte Dever Gregory of Sulphur; his children, Richard Joseph Gregory, Jr. and wife, Stefanie Jenkins Gregory of Lake Charles, Christie Gregory Wemyss and husband, Drew Marshall Wemyss of Kingwood, Texas, and John Batt Gregory and wife, Megan Reinecke Gregory of Lake Charles; and six grandchildren, Cooper and Emma Grace Gregory, Matthew, Addie, and Braden Wemyss, and John Parker Gregory. He is preceded in death by his parents, John Batt Gregory and Molly Rasmussen Gregory; and his brothers, Dr. John B. Gregory, Jr. and William Joseph "Billy" Gregory.

His funeral will be at noon Saturday, February 6, in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on Maplewood Drive in Sulphur. The Revs. Aubrey Guilbeau, Monsignor Vincent Sedita, and Deacon Bud Wagner will officiate. Burial will be in Mimosa Pines Cemetery South in Carlyss under the direction of Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Ryan Navarre, Karl Bruchaus, John Cardone, Wayne Poynter, Bobby Davidson, Glen James, Harry Nunez, Matthew Wemyss , and Richie Griswold. Visitation will be held in the church from 4-9 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. until the time of service Saturday, all in the church. The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Jose Gonzales, Dr. Steve Springer, Dr. Don Thomas, Josh Darby and the Pathology Lab, J.D. Monlezun, and the nursing staff at West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to Boys Village 7378 Hwy 90 E. Lake Charles, LA 70615; Care Help of Sulphur 200 N. Huntington Street Sulphur, LA 70663; or the United Way of Southwest Louisiana 715 Ryan St #102 Lake Charles, LA 70601. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.