Earl Aubrey Gregory, Jr.

Earl Aubrey Gregory, Jr., 78, of Pensacola, Florida, passed from this life into the next on Saturday, February 27, 2021. He is absent from this body, but is present with the God he faithfully served. Mr. Gregory was a native of Lansdale, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy upon graduation from North Penn High School in 1960 and served as a sailor in the surface fleet for four years. In 1964, Mr. Gregory was awarded the opportunity to join the Naval Aviation Cadet program and went through flight training in Pensacola, Florida. It was here that he met a delightful young schoolteacher, Anita Louise Mason, and decided that his future was with her. He received his wings of gold at NAS Ellyson Field. His first duty station as a Naval Aviator was at NAS Lakehurst, New Jersey, in 1965. There, he was assigned to the newly-formed HC-4 squadron as a fleet helicopter pilot, commanding the UH-2B "Seasprite" among other rotary aircraft. LTJG Gregory & Miss Mason were married at NAS Lakehurst on June 13, 1968 in a formal ceremony at the Cathedral of the Air. The couple returned to Pensacola in 1969 when LT Gregory was assigned to a Search And Rescue unit at NAS Pensacola. It was here that he served the remainder of his time in the U.S. Navy. Upon receiving an honorable discharge in 1971, Mr. Gregory became an entrepreneurial citizen of Pensacola, where he engaged in small business ownership as a marine & automobile mechanic. He also served in various civic roles, including the Boy Scouts of America as a WoodBadge-trained leader, scoutmaster of Troop 403 (St. Paul UMC) and Troop 409 (Pollak Activity Center, ARC Gateway). His sons are grateful for his persistent encouragement to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. Mr. & Mrs. Gregory have been married for 52 years and have been active members of Bible Baptist Church, formerly Brent Baptist Church, for over 50 years. Mr. Gregory is preceded in death by his parents, Earl Aubrey Gregory, Sr. and Margaret Gilbert Gregory; his half-brother John Adair Anderson. He is survived by his wife Anita; their three children: son Earl Aubrey “Trey” Gregory, III; daughter-in-law Victoria Mosley Gregory; son Mark Edward Gregory and his wife Cherene Lee Gregory (née Crawford); daughter Tara Lynn McKinney and her husband Lt. Col. Matt Gavin McKinney; their ten grandchildren: Tate Stephen Gregory, Lara Kathryn Gregory, Leah Cherene Gregory, Joel Robert Gregory, Anah Cherene Gregory, Elizabeth Margaret Gregory, Madelyn Belle McKinney, Andrew Mason Gregory, Gavin Roberts McKinney, and Philip Mason Gregory. Interment will be at Barrancas National Cemetery, NAS Pensacola, where a private graveside ceremony will be held for family. Visitation for friends & family will be held on Friday, March 19th, at 2 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 3 p.m., both at Bible Baptist Church, 1130 JoJo Road, Pensacola, Fla. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in memoriam to the Escambia County ARC, via the following link: https://bit.ly/2OekMz5 FAITH CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME SOUTH, 100 Beverly Parkway, Pensacola, is entrusted with arrangements. You may express your condolences online at www.fcfhs.com.

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Earl Aubrey Gregory, Jr.

May 11, 1942 - February 27, 2021