Brian Downing Gregory

Beloved patriarch to the Gregory family, Brian Downing Gregory, age 99, made his journey home to God June 19, 2024. He maintained his extraordinary wit, sense of humor, memory, and endless love and gratitude for his family until the end. Brian passed comfortably, surrounded by loved ones.

Born May 3, 1925 in Oakland, California, Brian grew up in the LA area, hitchhiking to Fullerton High School every day to pursue his education. Joining the Navy at seventeen to serve our country in WWII, Brian spent forty-four months in transit serving as a cook, making and laying torpedo nets, and after the war ended as an interpreter for approximately 750 German prisoners and their ship officer who spoke Spanish.

He went on to earn his Associate in Arts from East LA Junior College, then attended Whittier College before marrying beloved matriarch to the Gregory family Mary Reves Gregory on June 25, 1949, following her graduation from UCLA. The family grew with the blessing of their four children Jeff (Cheryl) Gregory, Tom (Doris) Gregory, Janice (Roger) Saylor, and Maggie (Mark) Gradison.

After retiring in 1985 from General Motors Management, Brian spent his time serving his church, making hundreds of zucchini bread loaves for friends and family every holiday season, and loved visiting with his four children, eleven grandchildren, and eleven great grandchildren throughout California, Colorado, and Indiana. Preceded in death by Mary, Brian married long-time friend Ann Wilkinson, at the age of 75, and continued to travel and foster the unequivocal love and relationships he treasured with his family.

Brian lived a life full of experiences, immense joy and laughter, and tremendous love. His legacy survives through the unprecedented connection and profound love the Gregory family shares. His impact is eternal through all who had the honor of knowing him.

Please join us in celebrating a life well lived: services held at 11:00 am on September 13, 2024, at Trinity Episcopal Church 1030 Brown-Delaware St., Anderson, IN 46016. Celebration of Life to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a charity dear to Brian:

https://www.nationalww2museum.org/give/honor-your-hero/tribute-gifts-national-wwii-museum OR

https://donate.rmhccin.org/give/399475/#!/donation/checkout

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared by visiting: https://neptunesociety.com/obituaries/indianapolis-in/brian-gregory-11869915.