Gregory Lee Thomas

Born on March 15, 1953, in Birmingham, Greg was the beloved son of James Lee Thomas and Vivian Elizabeth Buck Thomas.

He was preceded in death by his wife, MaryBeth Whitmire Hegerty; his brother, Charles Askew Thomas; and his grandparents, Hubert Nelson Buck, Vivian Eileen Watson, James Luther and Rosa Lee Day, Charles Leonard Askew and Clovis Gertrude Harget.

He is survived by his children: Brian Winfred Hegerty (Shanna Adams Hegerty), their children: Eleanor Grace Hegerty; and Ingrid Elizabeth Hegerty; Lacey Elizabeth Schell (John Rennolds Schel), their children: Ruben Adair Griffiths-Williams, Briyer Rose Alexia Elizabeth Griffiths-Wilmore, Aurora Rain Griffiths, and Odessa Pearl Griffiths, John Edwin Schell, Alexander Rennolds Schell; Mary Margaret Hegerty (Eric Sean Duocher); Matthew Maximallian Hegerty (Michelle Lee Hegert), their son Graham Maxwell Hegerty. He is also survived by his brother, Scott Thomas (Sandy Thomas); his sister-in-law, Pam Thomas; and a large and loving family of cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Gregory Lee lived a blessed life. He was raised in the Crestwood community of Birmingham and was a lifelong member of Crestway Baptist Church. He attended Colmer Elementary School and Woodlawn High School, where he proudly served as the 1971 Senior Class President. Lee went on to study at Auburn University and later served his country in the United States Navy.

A free spirit, Lee had many chapters of his professional career. After spending time as a furniture salesman, his true passion emerged later in life when he became a self-taught master wood craftsman. He founded Lee Thomas Studio, specializing in bespoke, handmade wooden golf putters. His artistry and craftsmanship earned him national recognition, including commissions from golf legend Arnold Palmer, who requested a putter crafted from fallen trees at both the Bay Hill Club and Latrobe Country Club. Greg also created putters from a tree planted by Thomas Jefferson at Monticello. His handcrafted putters are prized possessions of all who own them.A pioneer before his time, Lee’s greatest accomplishment was the home he built with his “sweet woman” Betsy and their three children. Later in life, Lee struggled with heart & kidney issues but remained true to his spirited and independent nature. The last eleven years he spent with us, after suffering a major heart attack and extended coma, were a miracle and a gift.

Gregory Lee Thomas was a fine man, a free spirit who lived life on his own terms. He will be deeply missed, and forever loved, by all who knew him.A memorial service will be held this summer in Birmingham, Alabama.