Thomas H. Gregory's Obituary
Devoted follower of Christ, family man, and CPA, Thomas Harlan Gregory, passed away on April 15, 2022. By his side was his steadfast wife of 63 years, Reed, and his loving family. Tom’s life was an amazing journey, highlighted by a rewarding career, many avocations, a deep commitment to philanthropy and a lifelong dedication to his family and God.
Tom was a third-generation resident of St. Petersburg born in Mound Park Hospital (now Bayfront Medical Center) on September 2, 1938 to Harlan and Margaret Good Gregory. Tom attended local schools, including St. Petersburg High, and Northeast High School in its inaugural year, graduating in 1956. He graduated from Florida State University in January of 1960 with his degree in accounting. Tom began his business career with the Bogue, Lee, Compton & Vass, CPA firm. Russell S. Bogue was a dedicated Christian businessman.
Tom met Reed Lewis while they were both students at FSU. They married on July 23, 1960, at First United Methodist Church of Panama City, Florida. After marriage, they moved to St. Petersburg. Tom received CPA certificates from Florida and Louisiana. He was a member of the AICPA, the FICPA and was Chair of the State Ethics Commission. He was a founding partner of Gregory, Sharer & Stuart, CPA’s and became a licensed Florida Insurance Broker. He completed his Retirement Planning training at Wharton School (Univ. of Pa.).
Tom survived a blood clot in the back of his brain in his fifties, which ultimately led him to answer the call to enter the ministry. Following a faith healing, which restored the loss of vision in his left eye, he graduated from St. Petersburg Theological Seminary in 1997, and completed the United Methodist Course of Study at Emory University. He was commissioned by the Florida Conference as a Local Pastor in 1997. Tom served Allendale United Methodist Church as Associate Pastor from 1998 to 2007. Tom often remarked that, “his nine years at Allendale Church were the happiest years of his life.” Tom’s mandatory United Methodist retirement occurred at age 70. At age 75, he was appointed to Christ United Methodist Church (2013 – 2015) in downtown St. Petersburg. It was the church his grandfather Good ‘s family belonged to, and the church where he and his family grew up. He served approximately three years until retiring again.
Tom’s major community awards included: Eagle Scout; Election to Beta Alpha Psi, National Accounting Honorary; Election to the Northeast High School Athletic Hall of Fame (Basketball); St. Petersburg College naming the Ethic’s Department Building “The Thomas H. Gregory Ethics Building”; The Suncoasters of St. Petersburg naming him “Mr. Sun of St. Petersburg in 2008. His civic and social activities included: Chair - The Salvation Army of St. Petersburg; Chair – The Florida Commission on Ethics; St. Petersburg Jr. College , Chair – Board Of Trustees; Director – AAA Auto Club Group - Detroit, Michigan; Director – All Children’s Hospital; President – Suncoasters of St. Petersburg; President – The Florida Gulf Coast Symphony; President – St. Petersburg Rotary Club; Advisory Board, Pinellas Area Council, BSA; Director – Northeast High School Athletic Hall of Fame; Chapter President – FLiCRA (Florida Life Care Resident’s Association) – at Westminster Suncoast; and, Director and member of the Executive Committee of the State of Florida FLiCRA Board.
Tom is survived by his wife, Margaret Reed Lewis Gregory; sister Susan Gregory Coggins; daughter Elizabeth Gregory (John) Brenneis of Tallahassee, Florida; son, Thomas Edward (Tom E.) Gregory of St. Petersburg; grandson Jordan E. Brenneis of Tallahassee; granddaughter Jessica E. Brenneis of New York City; granddaughter Charlee R. Gregory of St. Petersburg; granddaughter Riley P. Gregory of St. Petersburg; the father of his great-grandchildren, Daniel Phifer; and great-grandchildren, Carter Thomas Phifer and Kaylyn Elizabeth Phifer and several nieces, grand nieces, and a grand nephew, all of Tallahasee and many close cousins.
A funeral service will be held at Christ United Methodist Church under the direction of Rev. Dawn Warden and of Rev. Steve Coss on Friday, April 29 at 1:00 pm with a viewing one hour prior. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
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