George Gregg

George Gregg, age 96, most recently of Waterville, Ohio, passed peacefully from this world on November 6,2025, surrounded by his wife of 71 years, Helen Delores Gregg (nee Rediger) and other members of his family. George was born July 28, 1929, in Bloomington, Illinois to Arthur Edward Gregg and Gladys Gregg (nee Enlow). He was the fifth of eight children and has a sole living sibling, Thomas Gregg, of Chicago, Illinois.
As the oldest boy, George started working while still a young teenager to help support the family after the premature death of his father. Following high school, he graduated from Illinois State Normal University, but his career plans were delayed when he was drafted into the U.S. Army. After completing basic training, he married Helen and she eventually traveled to Verdun, France with him where he proudly served his country.
Upon returning to the United States George and Helen started their family and eventually had three children, Joseph Gregg (Teri), Peter Gregg (Lois) and Laura Jerpbak (Scott).
As a young father, George returned to school at the University of Illinois where he graduated with honors with a degree in mechanical engineering. The family eventually relocated to Cincinnati, Ohio where George worked for over three decades designing jet aircraft engines for the General Electric Company. That career afforded George and Helen the opportunity to travel the world, and they made many friends in France and elsewhere.
In addition to their three children George and Helen had seven grandchildren (Christopher Gregg (Mary), Emily Wolcott (Stephen), Daniel Gregg, Paul Gregg, Julie Gregg, Rachel Jerpbak and Dana Jerpbak) and four great grandchildren (Evan Wolcott, Audrey Wolcott, Lillian Gregg and George Gregg) all of whom adored their Big Papa.
George retired in 1992 and enjoyed 33 years of retirement. He and his buddies sailed their own sailboats in the Greek Islands, the Caribbean and other places around the world. He and Helen lived for many years at their lake house in Brown County, Indiana where they hosted Turtle School each summer for their grandchildren. They traveled to innumerable soccer games, plays, dance recitals and other events with their grandchildren and great grandchildren. They spent more than 20 winters in Hawaii where their son Peter and his family live. One of their best stories is how they got "stuck in Hawaii" for 18 months during Covid! They eventually relocated to Watervill, Ohio in 2019 to be nearer to their other son Joe and daughter Laura and their families.
George loved dogs and until the very end never let the opportunity pass him by to talk to and pet one. He liked a glass of Jack Daniels now and then and enjoyed the music of Johnny Cash and the humor of Monty Python.

George is survived by Helen and their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, all of whom loved him dearly, cherished the years he was with them, and who will greatly miss him.
The family is planning a private memorial service for George on his favorite beach in Hawaii and requests that, in lieu of cards or flowers, donations be made to Elara Hospice in Toledo, Ohio.

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