Claude Gerald Gregory

Claude Gerald Gregory, 95, was born to Lenora Combs Gregory and John Nathan Gregory. He was raised in Honaker, VA, where he graduated High School. He was drafted into WWII six months after graduation and inducted in the Navy. Gerald served as Yeoman Third Class on USS Essex (CV9) aircraft carrier in the pacific. He watched the formal surrender of Japan on the deck of the Battleship Missouri in Tokyo Bay. After his honorable discharge he visited with relatives in Centerburg, OH, where he met Eunice Faye Myers, his bride to be. Gerald attended Franklin University in Columbus, OH and received a B.S. degree in electrical engineering. He accepted a position at North American Aviation as head of the electrical department and 3,000 employees. In the mid 1960’s N.A.S.A. tasked North American Aviation to design and install the electrical components for the Apollo program. Gerald made several trips to California where the capsule was assembled. It then was taken to Cape Canaveral (now Cape Kennedy), then on to the moon. Gerald and Eunice raised three daughters in Central Ohio. He was a wonderful husband, father, granddad, great-granddad, uncle, cousin and friend. He loved laughing, playing games and enjoyed travel. He has been in 48 states (missed Oregon and Alaska). His path with our Lord was made obvious as in the last year of his life he asked almost daily “Are we ready to go to Church?” He attended Violet Baptist Church, Pickerington, OH. He adored all his brothers and sisters in Christ and Pastor Rick Williams. Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, John and Lenora Gregory; parent-in-laws, Russell and Kate Myers; his beloved wife of 50 years, Eunice Faye Myers Gregory; brother and sister-in-law, Harold and Betty Jo Gregory; brother, James Gregory; sister and brother-in-law, Sarah and R.T. McReynolds; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, James and Butchie Myers; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Gene and Fran Myers; brother-in-law, Jerry Myers; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Janice and Joe Tharp and great-granddaughter, Daisy Basehart. Survived by his three daughters, Belinda (Tom) Basehart, Anita Adkins and Lisa Gregory; grandchildren, Kyle (Amanda) Basehart, Miles (Marq) Basehart, Ashley Basehart and Trevor Basehart; great-granddaughters, Alina, Kaylin Basehart, Daphne, Kannon Basehart; two sister-in-laws, Sallie Myers and Frances Gregory and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Violet Baptist Church, 8345 Blacklick-Eastern Rd. NW, Pickerington, OH 43147 in his memory. A memorial service will be at a later date.