Joe M. Gregory, Jr.

Joe M. Gregory, Jr., age 79 of Sugar Tree, TN passed away on Friday, December 23, 2016 at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, TN following surgery. Family and friends had watched his health gradually decline over the past several months.  Mr. Gregory was born September 15, 1937 in Old Hickory, Tn to the late Joe M and Mable Weems Gregory.The family lived in Old Hickory and Decatur County near Parsons until the late 40's when they moved to La Porte, Texas. A 1955 graduate of La Porte High School, he attended Lee Junior College in Pasadena, Texas and graduated from the University of Texas in Austin in 1959.His parents bought the Western Auto Store in Parsons and moved back to Parsons in early 1959. When Joe graduated from the University of Texas, he came to join them.Joe worked with his father for several year, later going into the trucking business, first with Kolpak, then for himself. To his many trucking friends and acquaintances, he was known as "Jew Baby."He, also ran a diesel repair shop, as well as working as an installer of stainless steel kitchens in prisons and several states. He loved hunting deer in Decatur County and deer and elk in Wyoming and Colorado. He made several friends on those western hunts who have been on his 'call list' for several years.Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Louise Hawkins Gregory, three children, Jack P. Truscott, Julianna Gregory and Richard(Kathryn)Gregory, five grandchildren, Tara and Jack Truscott, Max, John and Luke Gregory, one brother, Dr. David Gregory(Joicelyn) and son Selden, as well as several cousins in several states. He was preceded  in death by his parents, grandparents and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.Mr. Gregory was cremated.A Memorial Service is planned for Saturday, April 15, 2017  2:00 PM at Oakdale Funeral Home-Decatur County.Visitation with the family will start at 1:00 PM