Tuesday, April 28th, 1953 - Friday, July 8th, 2022
On July 8, 2022, Robert Earl Gregg won his battle with cancer, victoriously entering into the presence of Jesus. Robert was born on April 28, 1953 in Enid, Oklahoma. He was the firstborn of Cledith Earl Gregg and Viola Mae (Wyssmann) Gregg. Robert attended Hayward School during his early years, and later graduated from Covington-Douglas High School in 1971. He lived in both Perry and Ponca City, Oklahoma, but most of his life was spent in rural Covington.
Robert was an avid reader, enjoying westerns, science fiction, alternative-history, and early-American history. He could finish a thick hardback in a day, and considered Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited to be one of life's greatest blessings. Robert collected many things besides books, including but not limited to arrowheads, coins, antique bottles, miniature cast iron skillets, rocks and minerals, old advertising anvils, halfway-inappropriate jokes, and numerous other treasures that are too many to name. Robert loved astronomy, panning for gold, searching for morel mushrooms, John Deere tractors, gardening, Southwestern American culture, and so much more. Robert was a member of the Enid, Oklahoma Coin Club.
Robert worked for various employers over the years, including B-Line (Perry), Big J (Perry), Metro 25 (Perry), New Holland (Enid), Garber Coop, and most recently Earnheart Propane of Marshall, Oklahoma. He worked hard his entire life, regularly coming home tired and dirty. He regularly drove big trucks, was a gifted backhoe operator, and most recently, Robert found a surprising amount of joy in taking care of his propane customers. It was there, at Earnheart Propane, that Robert retired from full-time employment in 2020.
Much of Robert’s life was spent on the farm. From childhood, he worked the ground, built fences, raised cattle, and repaired busted machinery. This was never Robert’s full-time job, but you wouldn’t know it based on his schedule. Like many mom-and-pop farming operations, Robert would work a full day’s shift, returning home to farm. His weekends for many of his years were spent helping out his dad, Cledith. Although he rarely confessed to enjoying it, we believe that he must have, and there is no doubt that he faithfully loved his father through service for most of his adult life.
Robert was a sufferer, like all of us, enduring many losses over his life. His good friends Stanley Loesch, Randy Carr, and Keith Bolz, all had lives that were taken in tragedy. This was especially hard at times for him. Robert lost his mother to leukemia and father to cancer, both passing earlier than desired. Robert’s mom, Viola, had a favorite Bible verse: “Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” We would like to think that Robert’s suffering and grief, including his battle for cancer, was not wasted, and that his heart was refined through it all.
For those that knew Robert these last few years, it was a pleasure watching him grow old. The family was surprised to see him warming up to the critters, building cat houses, letting his dog, Katie, move indoors, and worrying about the step-dog when family travels left her home alone. Of course, it wasn’t just the animals that won his heart. Robert took great joy in his family. He loved his children, and he treasured the accomplishments of his grandchildren. His first grandchild, Anna, spent a considerable amount of time in Papa’s house while growing up, and in many ways, she was considered a child of his. During their visits, the children always raided the candy jar, learned to close the door behind them, and rarely left without a hug.
It was there in that house that Robert felt comfortable and at peace. He took great pride in the restoration and care of his family home. The house, formerly owned by his grandmother Annie, was at one time known as The Lone Star School. Robert and his wife Janna spent years making the place as beautiful as it is today. Much of Robert’s last months were spent making final improvements to the land, painting things he had always wanted to see painted, removing things that needed to go, and making numerous desired additions. He left it better than he found it, and this statement is true of many areas of Robert’s life. He loved his home, the farm, and the beautiful land around it.
Robert leaves behind many friends and family members, and none are more important than the love of his life, Janna Gregg. Robert married Janna on July 23rd, 1977, and this month would have been their 45th wedding anniversary. Robert loved his wife tremendously, and she was undoubtedly his best friend. Janna complimented Robert in almost every way, and she was a wonderful helper, encourager, and supporter. People often “marry-up”, and the family is thankful that these two found each other early in life. Janna spent much of this last year by Robert’s side, and her display of love, compassion, and faithfulness was undoubtedly appreciated by not just Robert, but also by their family and friends.
Robert is preceded in death by his loving father and mother, Cledith and Viola Gregg. He is survived in death by his loving wife Janna, sister Shirley and husband Dennis Osburn of Enid, sister Dianna and husband Rick of Cherokee, sister Carol and husband Ed of Enid, and brother Ross and wife Jennifer of Lucien, Oklahoma. Also surviving are Robert’s son Phillip Gregg and his wife Aracely, of Covington, daughter Melissa Hughes and her former husband Clarke, of Covington, grandchildren Anna Hughes, Julia Gregg, Abbigayl Hughes, Aaron Hughes, and Clara Gregg. Lastly, surviving are several of Robert’s dear friends and other family that he loved so much.
Per Robert’s wishes, he has been cremated, and his final resting place will be at St. John’s Lutheran Church Cemetery, located two miles east and two and a half miles north of Covington, Oklahoma. A memorial service with family and friends will take place at 12:30pm, on Saturday, July 16, 2022 at First Baptist Church of Covington, Oklahoma, with Pastor Tommy Donaldson officiating. The funeral is under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home, and suggested memorials include Hospice Circle of Love, St. John’s Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund, or First Baptist Church of Covington, Oklahoma with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home serving as custodian of the funds.
Condolences may be made to the family online at www.LadusauEvans.com. Ladusau-Evans has been serving the families of the Enid Community and surrounding areas for over 40 years with compassionate service and dedication. They provide families with an open door policy. Feel free to contact them 24 hours a day. Visitation Hours: 8:00 am – 9:00 pm daily, 2800 N. Van Buren, Enid, OK 73703. Call: (580) 233-1400. -
Obituaries are posted, in part, due to the generosity of The Commons.
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