Thomas G. Gregory

Thomas G. Gregory was born on April 8, 1940 to James H. and Nancy (Hyde) Gregory in Milwaukee, WI and passed away peacefully on December 5, 2023 in Elkhorn, NE with loving family by his side. He was one of 4 children and grew up in Shorewood, WI with a group of boys who became life-long friends. After high school, Tom attended Wesleyan University (CT), graduating with a degree in Political Science in 1962. After months of sailing adventures on a 62’ ketch at sea with friends, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in 1965. Shortly after, Tom returned to Wisconsin and earned an MA in Journalism at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Serendipity and graduate school brought Tom and (future) wife Susan of California together. They were married on January 21, 1967 at Our Lady of the Wayside Catholic Church in Portola Valley, California. Following graduate school and the wedding to Susan, they moved to Decatur, IL where Tom kicked off his career in science and education writing for a regional newspaper chain. In 1969 they moved to Sue’s home state of California where Tom worked with her father’s film and TV production company, Lawren Productions, Inc. serving as its Vice President and helping develop national award winning documentaries, medical films, and television shows. With credentials in filmmaking, Tom was recruited to Omaha, NE to work at Boys Town’s Center for the Study of Youth Development, to help develop and disseminate science-based research. Tom had an immediate and sustained impact at Boys Town, making a career helping children. He was named Senior Vice President and was the Board of Trustees’ designated Interim Executive Director until he retired in 2013. Through a passionate work ethic, Tom made important contributions wherever he went. His first priority, however, was always his family. Tom was preceded in death by his infant son, Jens Hyde and leaves behind his loving wife Susan and their surviving children Kelvin (Heather) of Pittsburgh PA, Ted (Tirzah) of Overland Park KS, Jens (Rebecca) of Elkhorn, as well as 7 grandchildren: Fiona and Ronan in Pittsburgh, Merritt and Delia in Overland Park, and Eve, Ivan, and Ellen in Elkhorn. He was proactive and immensely encouraging in each of their unique and cherished lives. He is also survived by loved nephews and nieces, Greg Karmazin, Daniel Cowan, Patrick Cowan, Meg Cowan, Jennifer Waters, and their families. He also leaves behind great lifelong friends and caring neighbors who eased his days with humor and messages of encouragement. Thank you, to all. After a challenging two-year struggle with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, he passed into the loving arms of God. It was Tom’s wish that whatever could be learned from the trajectory of his disease and treatments be made available to research and medical science to help others. Tom’s family would like to acknowledge the skillful and compassionate care of the doctors, nurses, and staff at both the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the Veterans Hospital of Nebraska and Western Iowa. The family suggests memorial contributions to Paralyzed Veterans of America ( pva.org ), ALS in the Heartland ( alsintheheartland.org ), Boys Town, or the charity of your choice.

Thomas G. Gregory

April 8, 1940 - December 5, 2023