L. P. Gregory

BOLD PRINT: L. P. Gregory

Lester Poindexter Gregory, 90, Kingsport died Sunday morning, January 13, 2008, at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center following a massive heart attack.

He was born in Jonesville, North Carolina, the son of R.L. and Alice Boyd Gregory and had resided in Kingsport since 1935. He worked for the old Kingsport Improvement Company under the guidance of the late J. Fred Johnson. Mr. Gregory served as a major in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II; and after returning to Kingsport, started Gregory Appliance which he owned and operated until the mid 1960's. He was proclaimed "Young Man of the Year" in 1951. He then became a Chartered Life Underwriter for National Life of Vermont and was a qualified Life Member of the Million Dollar Roundtable.

Mr. Gregory served on Kingsport's Board of Mayor and Alderman for seven years including a term as Vice Mayor 1957-1959 and a term as Mayor 1959-1961. He was President of Community Chest and Chairman of Kingsport Housing Authority for a number of years. Mr. Gregory was active in the governing body of Holston Valley Community Hospital and Medical Center for approximately 40 years which included five-year terms as Vice President and President. He had an active role in the research and organization of the Holston Valley Foundation and served as its first President. He served 17 years as a Director of First American Bank and its predecessors. He was past President of Kingsport Civitan Club and a Board Member and Trustee of Carson-Newman College. He was an active member of First Baptist Church for 75 years and served in many capacities which included four separate terms as Chairman of Deacons, Sunday School teacher, and member of the Adult Sanctuary Choir.

His first wife, Mary Frances Good Gregory, preceded him in death.

Surviving are his wife, Keith Hamilton Gregory of the home; sons, Russell Gregory and wife, Anna Ruth Taggart, Tucker, Georgia; John Gregory and wife Zan Osborn, Kingsport; James Gregory and wife, Kimberly Morgan, Mt. Pleasant, SC; a stepdaughter, Kay Garell and husband, Dr. Thomas L. Garell, Merritt Island, FL; seven grandchildren, Alice Hartnett and husband Howie, Susan Gregory, Joshua Gregory and wife Natalie, Jonathan Gregory and wife Stacie, Jansen Gregory, Benjamin Gregory, and Thyler Gregory; two step-grandchildren, Lauren and Tyler Garell; and two great-grandchildren, Abigail Hartnett and Lily Gregory.

The family will receive friends Thursday from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, Kingsport and Friday following the memorial service at First Baptist Church.

Family graveside services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Oak Hill Memorial Park. Honorary pallbearers will be The Current Issues Sunday School Class.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday at First Baptist Church with Dr. Marvin Cameron, Dr. Ron Davis, and Rev. Mitchell M. Whisnant officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to: First Baptist Church, 200 W. Church Circle, Kingsport, TN or charity of one's choice.