[1]

Robert Gregson
d. January 9, 2020
Robert B. "Bob" Gregson, 81, of Baxter, Tennessee passed away peacefully January 9, 2020 surrounded by family at Cookeville Regional Medical Center.

The son of the late James and Lois Gregson, Bob grew up in Asheboro, North Carolina. A football player at heart, Bob attended and received football scholarships to Greenbrier Military School, Wingate University and East Carolina University. Summers were spent climbing utility poles for Carolina Power and enjoying the beach.

Bob entered the Navy in 1961 and completed Officer Candidate training, as well as, Naval flight school which set him on a career path he loved – that of flying! After leaving the Navy in 1966, Bob became an American Airlines pilot based in Buffalo, New York, which is where he met and married his wife, Mary Jo, an American Airlines stewardess. Bob and Mary Jo moved to Washington D.C. area and then eventually to Cookeville in 1979 with 2 daughters and 2 German Shepherds.

Bob retired in 1998 after 32 years flying Boeing 727, MD-80, and Boeing 757- 767 aircraft world-wide. He was also a flight instructor at the American Airlines Flight Academy in Dallas, Ft. Worth. Even with an active career and family, Bob always found time to help others. While living in Manassas, Virginia, Bob helped organize a much-needed volunteer fire department and served as fire chief for many years. Gregson Hall is named after him and continues to be one of the busiest units in the state.

Life in Cookeville found Bob happily boating on Centerhill Lake with family and friends, as well as spending time outdoors maintaining the forest on his property with chain saw in hand. Affectionately known as the "mayor" of Austin Bottom, Bob was always the first to help anyone in the area needing help and appreciated by a grateful neighborhood. Bob loved animals and somehow stray pets always knew how to find loving owners at the Gregson's.

Bob is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mary Jo, and daughters Lorie Dickenson and Bobbie Penland (Ken), grandchildren Matthew Dickenson, Madison Penland, Jake Penland, Will Penland and numerous nieces and nephews. Bob was preceded in death by two brothers, Edwin Gregson and Neal Gregson. A Celebration of Life was held Saturday, February 15th at Nash Grove Baptist Church, Baxter, TN 38544.