Mel Hyatt Gregory Jr.

A native son of Kentucky, gregarious and generous, he was a husband, father, athlete, friend, and leader who touched many lives and always tried to do right. Mel was born in Frankfort, KY on March 28, 1936 to Audrey Lee (née Fraley) and Mel Hyatt Gregory, Sr. He grew up in La Grange, KY and graduated from Oldham County High School in 1954 where he excelled in sports and citizenship. During high school Mel met Joyce Klein, -- “it was the luckiest moment of my life when I saw her,” he commented, “she was wearing a maroon coat drinking a cherry coke.” They married in 1955 at age 19 and moved to DeLand, FL where Mel attended Stetson University on an athletic scholarship. He played basketball and baseball for the Stetson Hatters and was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity and an Army ROTC graduate.

After graduation in 1958, Mel began his career as a life insurance agent in Louisville launching a distinguished 35-year career in the life insurance industry. Mel and Joyce had a wonderful journey, building many lifelong friendships in Louisville, Cincinnati, New York, New Jersey, and Atlanta. Mel was an exceptional motivator with a genuine compassion for people. He had a disarming sense of humor and great humility, both of which were evident to anyone lucky enough to meet him. He was a leader who cared and helped so many achieve their dreams. After retirement, Mel and Joyce settled in Atlanta, their home sweet home for the last 30 years.

Mel served on the board for The National Urban League, Clark Atlanta University, Stetson Business School and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia. He is listed in ‘Who’s Who In America’ and received a Distinguished Alumni Award from Stetson University. He was a member of Peachtree Presbyterian Church and Cherokee Country Club.

Mel and Joyce were married for 62 wonderful years. Joyce, their three children and seven grandchildren brought immeasurable love, joy and strength to his life and were his raison d'être. Together, Mel and Joyce traveled the world and especially loved the south of France and the Greek Islands. A voracious reader, Mel especially savored spy thrillers and history. He enjoyed golf, wine, the Atlanta Braves, Kentucky basketball, UGA football and he had a great affection for animals, especially his cats Dusty and Lucy.

Mel sustained deep, rewarding friendships throughout his life, including many dear longtime friends from grade school as well as the fraternity brothers with whom he reunited regularly. Aside from his love of family, nothing gave him greater pleasure than helping someone in need. Mel was there do what he could to make things right, often in ways that not everyone could see.

“Sit loosely in the saddle” was a favorite quote that Mel always kept on his desk. He knew that when things change, as they always do, it’s easier to adapt and ‘go with the flow’ if one doesn’t hold on too tightly. As the old song Happy Trails says: “It’s the way you ride the trail that counts.”

Mel is survived by his wife Joyce of Atlanta, their three children: Susan Lawson (Doug) of Charlotte, NC, Scott Gregory of Malvern, PA, and Beth Olesky (Pete) of Marietta, GA, and grandchildren Audrey Gregory, John Lawson, Nick Gregory, Tom Olesky, Will Lawson, Anna Gregory, and Maggie Olesky. Mel was predeceased by his parents and his brother Larry Wayne Gregory.

There will be a service to honor Mel’s life on Monday, December 11 at 2:00 pm at Peachtree Presbyterian Church, Kellett Chapel, 3434 Roswell Road, Atlanta with a reception to follow. Those who wish to honor Mel’s memory may make a donation to The Salvation Army, Stetson University, Yew Dell Botanical Gardens, or Peachtree Presbyterian Church.