Luther James Gregory

Luther James "Jim" Gregory, age 95, of Pinckneyville, Ill., passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Pinckneyville Community Hospital, Pinckneyville, Ill.

Jim was born on June 16, 1917, in Perry County, Ill., a son to Charles and Clara (Loucks) Gregory. On Oct. 24, 1942, he married Mildred I. Tanner in Farmington, Mo., and to this union was born one daughter, Gwendolyn (Mrs. Perry Combs) of Jackson, Miss. Jim was the grandfather of two grandsons, Ian Gregory Combs (Farah) of Fairhope, Ala. and Evan Cranfill Combs (Nichole) of Hattiesburg, Miss. and the great grandfather of Savannah Marie Combs and Lucas Gregory Combs of Hattiesburg, Miss. and Wyatt John Comb of Fairhope, Ala.

Jim grew up on a farm east of Pinckneyville with five sisters and one brother, the next-to-youngest child. He attended the rural schools of Upper Arm and Upper Holts. He worked for a farm implement dealer for two years and farmed for two years before he was called to service in WW II. From 1942 to 1945, he served in England with the Eighth Army Air Corps. After discharge, he worked for the Home Lumber Company in Pinckneyville for 38 years.

Jim became a member of the First Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, Ill., in 1948 during a tent revival preached by Reverend W.W. Childres and held where the Save-A-Lot Grocery Store is now located. Jim served as a Trustee at the First Baptist Church for 20 years and taught the Junior Boys Sunday School class for several years.

Jim loved spending time with his wife, his daughter and her family and his grandsons and their families, as well as with his many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Mildred; his parents; his sisters, Edith, Wilma, Irene, Verga and Laverne; his brother, Wilber and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, Ill., on Friday, Nov. 9, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Charles Boling officiating. Interment will be in Mueller Hill Cemetery, Pinckneyville, Ill. Graveside military honors will be provided by Presswood-Daffron American Legion Post #2504.

Friends may call at the First Baptist Church on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the First Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, Ill.