March 2, 1956 - October 18, 2019
Charles Luther “Luke” Gregory completed this life peacefully and courageously, surrounded by loving family on Friday, October 18, in Nashville, Tennessee, of complications from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Luke is survived by his cherished wife, Susan, and the beloved family he adored: daughter Kate Gregory Ericksen; son Benjamin Gregory; and son-in-law Matthew Ericksen, Sr.; grandson Matthew Ericksen, Jr.; granddaughter Sara Ericksen; brother John Gregory, Jr.; sisters-in-law Olivia Gregory and Elison Atkinson; and several nieces and nephews to whom he was a loving, caring uncle. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Gregory, Sr., and Sara McDowell Gregory, and brother-in-law Robert Cain Atkinson, Jr.
Raised in the small town of Oxford, Georgia, Luke was taught by example the guiding principles of faith, family, and love of community, as well as the values of education and curiosity in learning. He first and foremost found his greatest accomplishments to be his happy marriage of 38 years with the love of his life, Susan, and seeing his children become compassionate and exemplary adults. He invested in and passionately protected the well-being of his family and found his ultimate happiness in his home.
He knew and honored life’s simplest joys - the love of playing trains with his grandson Matthew, rocking his granddaughter Sara, and marveling over wildlife and nature from his and Susan’s family room windows. Luke lived life with purpose and was a committed, loyal, and generous friend to many who felt valued and loved by him.
Friends will forever remember his gentle manner, ever-present smile, and interest in their lives and families. He mentored others in and outside the work setting and deeply wanted to help others reach their full potential.
Luke was a graduate of Oxford and Emory Colleges of Emory University, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Philosophy. He held multiple masters degrees: a Master of Art in Religion from Vanderbilt University, and Master of Business Administration and Master of Healthcare Administration degrees from Georgia State University. This mastery in three complementary fields positioned Luke to become a profoundly compassionate healthcare leader.
Luke worked in healthcare for nearly forty years. He was a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.
At the time of his death, he was Chief Executive Officer at Monroe Carell, Jr., Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and Senior Vice President for Business Development for the Vanderbilt Health System. He found great meaning and joy in his work with the Children’s Hospital, held true to his values of integrity and authenticity, and was known for his keen focus on patient and family centered care. He is remembered by his colleagues for his wisdom, integrity, kindness, leadership, and generosity of spirit.
He served on many professional and nonprofit boards and received numerous accolades in his life. Luke was honored to serve as Chair of the Children’s Hospital Alliance of Tennessee, Administrative Board of West End United Methodist Church, and Blakeford Board of Directors, Honorary Co-chair of the 2017 Iroquois Steeplechase, and was a member of the Vanderbilt School of Divinity Board of Visitors, and Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America of Middle Tennessee. He was the recipient of The J. Pollard Turman Alumni Service Award at Emory University; the Distinguished Alumni Award of the J. Mack Robinson Institute of Health Administration at Georgia State University; and the American College of Healthcare Executives Regent’s Award for Service and Leadership in Healthcare Management.
Luke was devoted to creating opportunities for all children and youth. This advocacy extended to his board service with Monroe Harding Children’s Home, teaching youth Sunday School, leading frequent West End United Methodist youth mission trips, and serving as a Boy Scout troop leader. Luke was an Eagle Scout and received the Silver Beaver award in 2011 from the Boy Scouts of America for making an impact on the lives of youth through distinguished service given to the local Scout council.
He was instrumental in the creation of several university scholarships to make higher education more accessible to all.
A memorial service will be held Friday, October 25th, at 1:00 p.m. at West End United Methodist Church in Nashville. Prior to the service, visitation with the family will be held beginning at 11:30 a.m. All are welcome to attend.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts in Luke’s memory be made to Monroe Carell, Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt (3322 West End Avenue, Suite 900, Nashville, TN 37203); The Dorothy J. and Robert C. Atkinson Scholarship Fund at Oxford College of Emory University (801 Emory Street, Oxford, Georgia 30054), or West End United Methodist Church Youth Ministry (2200 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203).
The family wishes to thank all of the extraordinary people at Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center and Vanderbilt University Medical Center for the excellent, loving care Luke received during his illness.
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