Monkey Island, Oklahoma- Eugene M. Gregg , 96, died February 24 ^th , 2023 at, 1:20 PM central time in Miami, Oklahoma at Windridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center of natural causes.  He was born on August the 14 ^th , 1926 in Cocke County, Tennessee, in a log cabin and was the son of Don Gregg and Florence (Renner) Gregg. The family moved to Ford, KS. in 1929 where he grew up and graduated from Ford, KS. High School in 1946. After graduation, Eugene joined the Army Air Corp. (now known as the United States Air Force) and planned to fly planes, however after WWII there were no planes allocated for training, and Eugene was offered the G.I. Bill to attend college.

Eugene played football as a quarterback at Colorado A & M College for 1 year, then obtained a scholarship to attend Emporia State University in Emporia, KS. for pole vaulting. Eugene also performed rings in gymnastics. He received his Bachelor's degree from Emporia State University, then taught school for 1 year.  Eugene met the love of his life, Goldabelle Noland and they were married on December 24 ^th ,1950 at the Methodist Church in Dodge City, KS.

Eugene went on to work for Ms. Olivan Beech (Owner of Beech Aircraft in Wichita, KS.) in the late 50's and flew around the country in a DC-3 recruiting engineers from colleges and universities for the wing design on future aircraft.  Eugene was on the Beech Aircraft golf team and played many tournaments throughout his employment with Beech Aircraft.  The family purchased a small boat with an outboard motor, and would take the boat to Grand Lake O'the Cherokees in Oklahoma on the weekends, where they would water ski and camp in tents.  On July 1 ^st , 1961 Eugene and two other families bought a small marina on Grand Lake (Monkey Island), later called Monkey Island Airport Resort, which had a 2660' grass runway for small airplanes.  The marina grew throughout the 50+ years of ownership and they later changed the name to TeraMiranda, meaning Land Worthy of Admiration.  The family sold the marina in 2009 and he retired.

Eugene was a member of the St. Bernard Masonic Lodge in Dodge City, KS., The Royal Order of the Jesters, Scottish Rite, Akdar Shrine Club in Tulsa, OK, the Marine Dealer's Association, and Tulsa Petroleum Club, as well as numerous other associations throughout his life.

He is survived by a son, Shane Gregg and wife Keri of Grove, OK; two granddaughters, Baylee and Emalee Gregg; a sister, JoAnn Peterson of Johnson City, TN; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife, GoldaBelle Gregg; a sister, Lillian Dixon and a brother, Frank Gregg.

A celebration of life for Eugene M. Gregg, will be held at Shangri-La on Grand Lake on Saturday March 4 ^th , at Docs Grill at 1:00 PM.

Funeral service will be held at Swaim Funeral Chapel in Dodge City, KS on Saturday, March 11 ^th at 10 AM with Pastor Kirk Larson presiding and Masonic Rites by the St. Bernard Lodge #222 AF&AM. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City with military honors presented by the United States Army and the District #8 American Legion.  There will be no visitation. Memorials are suggested to St. Bernard Masonic Lodge, Dodge City, KS. in care of the funeral home.  Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.