Joseph W. Gregorie, 76, of Conway, passed away Thursday, April 6, 2023, in Lake Regional Hospital in Osage Beach. He was born March 30, 1947 near Montreal, to August Gregorie and Dorothy Leffert.
He grew up in Camden County and entered the military when he was a young man. He was a member of the Green Beret, serving from 1965-1967. Following his time in the military, he returned to Kansas City and worked doing auto body repair. He then moved back to Camdenton for a while before going to Battlefield, Mich. where he had his own body shop. He returned to Camdenton in the early 1990’s where he owned his own body shop and continued repairing cars and trucks.
On Nov. 28, 1996 he was united in marriage to Rollene and they established their home in Conway. Together they loved their blended family and welcomed many grandchildren and great-grandchildren to their big family.
He most recently worked at Bennett Spring State Park in the maintenance department. It has been said that he could fix anything, even when it was unfixable to others.
He enjoyed being outside, fishing and hunting. He also had a love for guns and went to many guns shows.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and a daughter, Lori Callahan.
Joseph is survived by his wife, Rollene Gregorie of the home; his daughters, Lisa Rogers of Eldridge; Billie Jo Smith of Battlecreek, Mich.; Susan Reilly of Belton; Angela Statton-Hunt of Billings; Carol Sue of Battlecreek, Mich.; Terra Massey of Lebanon; Rosalee Osten of Battlecreek, Mich. and Rosie Gregorie of Battlecreek, Mich.; two sons, James Allen Gregorie of West Plains and Eric Gregorie of Battlecreek, Mich.; two brothers, James Gregorie and Larry Coleman, both of Camdenton; one sister, Anna Mac Hilton of Macks Creek; 25 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Joseph loved tinkering with all things mechanical. He made homemade motorcycles and enjoyed riding motorcycles. He really liked old cars, going to air shows, as well as car shows, and participating in Poker Runs. He was knowledgeable about cars and motorcycles and looked to by his friends and family for help and advice on tinkering with their own projects.
Joseph was a good family man and friend. He loved his family deeply. He was very patriotic and loved his country, too. He will most certainly be missed by those who knew and loved him.
Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, April 14, 2023, at Holman-Howe Funeral Home. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery with military honors under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home. Visitation will be from noon-1 p.m. Friday in the funeral home. A memorial has been established to COPE House and donations may be left at the funeral home.
Arrangements are under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon.
For more information or to visit the website go to www.holmanhowe.com.
