Donald Gordon Gregg, MD
Greenville
Donald Gordon
Gregg, MD, FACEP, U.S. Air Force Ret, 63, died Jan. 28, 2005, at his home in
Greenville.
He is survived by his father C. Gordon Gregg; his wife Becky of 40 years; his
children Daniel, partner, Derrell and son Malik of Chapel Hill, N.C., David of
Raleigh, N.C., Jen and husband Lee Cobb of Glen Allen, Va.; god-daughter, Caryn
Wells of Columbia; Brazilian daughter, Renata Eduardo of Sao Paulo, Brazil; his
sister, Linda K. Gregg of Wilmington, Del.; his beloved mother-in-law, Charlotte
R. Rice of Pell City, Ala.; and the many members of his extended family in
Greenville. He was pre-deceased by his mother, Janet Marion Gregg.
Dr. Gregg was born in Bryn Mawr, Pa.; raised in Arden, Del.; and graduated from
Wesleyan University, Middleton, Conn.
Upon graduating from Wesleyan and receiving his draft notice, he decided to join
the Navy. However, he went into the wrong door and instead joined the Air Force.
He became a navigator and flight surgeon, winning numerous awards, including the
second highest military award given for bravery, the Distinguished Flying Cross.
He left the Regular Air Force and attended Duke University to complete
post-baccalaureate courses for medical school. He received his Medical Degree
from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He chose to do a residency
in Family Medicine at Greenville General Hospital. One of his first rotations
was in the Emergency Department. There, he met a man who was to change his life
forever, a mentor and best friend, James M. Alexander, MD. Together they changed
the face of Emergency Care in the Upstate.
He belonged to many organizations and received numerous awards for his work,
both in and out of the Emergency Department. Awards included a Lifetime
Achievement Award from S.C. Emergency Medical Services and, from the governor's
office, the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina's highest civilian honor.
He asked that his friends of Bill W. be remembered and thanked. They were there
when he needed them, and he hoped that he was able to repay them by helping
others.
He held a number of jobs through the years beside his primary job in the ER. He
got the most recognition and enjoyment, especially in grocery lines, from his
work with NBC's local affiliate, WYFF.
Don felt his greatest achievements in life were his three children, and the fact
that he was able to help so many people in his beloved Greenville and South
Carolina. He hoped anyone that he has helped will in turn help someone else in
his memory.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation of money or time to the charity of
your choice.
Visitation will be held Monday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at The Mackey Mortuary.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church of
Greenville. The scattering of ashes will be a private service held at a later
time for the family.
The Mackey Mortuary, Greenville.
Published in The Greenville News: 01-29-2005.