October 21, 2015

Jack Vern Gregory, age 85 of Amsterdam, Mo., died Friday, Oct. 9, 2015, at Willow Lane Nursing Center in Butler. He was born Nov. 26, 1929, to Jesse and Ruby Summers Gregory in Amsterdam.
Jack, one of 12 children, was a lifelong resident of Amsterdam where he attended school. On May 28, 1949, he was united in marriage to Violet Leona Thomas in Drexel, Mo., and to this union four sons were born. Jack was a farmer/rancher his entire life. He ran a successful dairy operation for many years.
Jack enjoyed fishing, working on his John Deere tractor and visiting/arguing with anyone willing to engage in conversation. “Betcha a chicken dinner!” was Jack’s famous one liner when there was ever a question if he was right. His other hobbies included gardening and watching the KC Royals. Jack was a talented athlete. In his younger years he played basketball and baseball—often hitting the baseball so hard it hit the schoolhouse or went over. Jack was also an avid bowler.
Jack is survived by his wife, Violet Gregory, of Amsterdam, Mo.; three sons: Dennis Gregory of Amsterdam, Mo., Randy Gregory and wife, Donna, of Butler, Mo., and Brian Gregory and wife, Mary Linn, of Amsterdam, Mo.; daughter-in-law Mary Gregory Chulufas and husband, Scott, of Amsterdam, Mo.; brother Willis “Pod” Gregory and wife, Karen, of Amsterdam, Mo.; four sisters: Junie Porter of Grand Island, Neb., twin sister Jean Russell of Buffalo, Mo., Sharon “Hope” Blake of Buffalo, Mo., and Ila Faye McMeans and husband, Richard, of Mt. Ayr, Iowa; brother-in-law Jake Luttrell of Bakersfield, Calif.; one sister-in-law, CoCo Gregory, of Amsterdam, Mo.; 11 grandchildren: Jeff and wife, Tera, Scott and wife, Alana, Josh and companion Julie, Carmin, Andrea and husband, Danny, Adam and wife, Molly, Mendy, Jeremy and wife, Tiffany, Jessica and husband, J.D., Brandi and husband, Shawn, and Whitney; 19 great-grandchildren; and three step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; one son Stoney Gregory; aunt Fay Summers, who cared for Jack; and six siblings: N.D., J.B., Butch, Doris, Nina, and Nadine.
Funeral services were Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2015, at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Mo., with Hank Roberts officiating. Burial was in Scott Cemetery, Amsterdam, Mo.
Contributions to Amsterdam Methodist Church. Online condolences, www.schowengerdtchapel.com.