George Gregory, age 84, passed away on January 18, 2026, at home in Clay Center, Kansas. George was born October 28, 1941, in Ellsworth, Kansas to the late Wilmer A. and Olga (Schwartzel) Gregory. He was a graduate of Ellsworth High School. He grew up on a farm west and north of Ellsworth. George enjoyed working on the farm with his brother and sisters.
George married Janice Johnson in Ellsworth, Kansas October 5, 1960. They later divorced. He worked for Boogarts store in Ellsworth for 10 years before moving to Beatrice, Nebraska in 1964 to be an assistant manager at a grocery store there. In 1966 he moved to WaKeeney, Kansas to manage the Boogarts there. In 1968 he moved to Clay Center to manage Boogarts and worked for 25 years before purchasing the Coop grocery store, naming it Gregory’s Thriftway, which he ran for 15 years before selling it. Then George worked for 18 years at Mel’s Pump and Plumbing in Clay Center. George was past president of the Rotary Club in Clay Center. He was a member of the American Legion, Elks Club and the Clay Center Country Club for 57 years and served in the Kansas National Guard from 1959-1969.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters Judy Gregory of Ellsworth, Dorothy Ptacek, Esther Snowball and Ona Dupes. One brother Larry Gregory and stepson Terry Keeler.
George had 2 sons Troy Gregory and wife Leann of Lawerence, Kansas and Daron Gregory and wife Kim of Clay Center, Kansas. He married Janice Reed Keeler of Clay Center on December 19, 1986. He has 4 stepchildren, Teresa Pearson of Salina, Kansas, Jeff Keeler and wife Shawna of Morganville, Kansas, Jamie Keeler of Clay Center, Kansas and Teresa Rickabaugh of Clay Center, Kansas. George has 5 grandchildren, Kyle Gregory and wife Shelby of Clay Center, Kody Gregory and wife Lacey of Clay Center, Kade Gregory and fiancé Taylor of Clay Center, Hope Gregory of Kansas City and Grant Gregory of Fayetteville AR. Along with 6 great grandchildren, Kinley, Axtyn, Kane, Banks, Kovelynn and Nova Dawn Gregory. He also has 11 step grandchildren, Tyler and Corey Newell, Jesse and Logan Nash, Presley Keeler, Rylee Keeler, Ashlee Wallace, Kiley Lannon and Austin Rickabaugh, and 8 great step grandchildren, Keeler, Parker, Jackson, Ace, Bo, Lawson, Greyson, Lilah and Palmer.
Please come celebrate the life of George at the Clay Center Elks Lodge on Saturday, January 31, 2026, beginning at 4:00 PM and continuing into the evening. All are welcome to come and go as they are able.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Clay Center Elks Lodge #2253 and left in care of the Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home or dropped off at the Elks on January 31.
