Sheriff R.R. "Jack" Gregory

R.R. "JACK" GREGORY
1922 - 1998

R.R. "Jack" Gregory served as Baxter County Sheriff from 1957 - 1962 and again from 1971-1978.

Mr. Gregory was born December 13, 1922 at Oakland, Arkansas, to Will Gregory and Maudie Elizabeth Stafford Gregory. Gregory served his country for four years during World War II as a staff sergeant and crew chief aboard a B-29 bomber for the U.S. Air Force.

After the war, Gregory moved to Mountain Home and went to work for Arkansas Power & Light Company. In 1947, Gregory began working for the Denver Roller Buick Agency in Mountain Home and in 1948 he married Wanda Lea Hale. He began his first term as Sheriff of Baxter County in 1956.

In 1962, Gregory opened the American Motors and GMC Truck Agency in Mountain Home. He served as a pioneer auto dealer and as Sheriff for Baxter County for a number of years.

In his later years, after retiring from the sheriff's position, he was in business with his son, Ronnie, as co-owner of Gregory Appraisals.

Gregory served on the board of directors for Ozark Counseling Services for 13 years and served as president for several years. While serving on the board, Gregory received the Mental Health Council Distinguished Service Award in 1994.

He was a 32nd degree Mason-a member of the King Hiram Lodge in Gassville and the Mountain Home Masonic Lodge-and was a lifetime member of the Arkansas Sheriff's Association and the National Sheriff's Association.

During his second term as sheriff, Gregory served as co-chairman of the Northwest Arkansas Criminal Justice Planning Board, which led to the funding of the current sheriff's department and jail building.

Gregory's life brimmed with accomplishments and credits. He was a successful man in business and in his political career. Mr. Gregory died on August 26, 1998, at the age of 75 years.