Tom Gregory

Services for Carl Thomas Gregory (Tom) will be held May 30, 2026, with a visitation prior to the service at Stewart Funeral Home from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m., with the graveside service following at 2:30 p.m. at Rose Hill Cemetery. Mr. Gregory passed away May 1, 2026. He was born June 23, 1941, at Bryant’s Clinic in Tyler to Carl A. and Eula Pearl Gregory. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother-in-law, Jim Watkins. Tom was a member of Marvin United Methodist Church in Tyler. He graduated in the first graduating class of Robert E. Lee High School in Tyler in 1959. Tom graduated from Texas Tech University in 1964 and was a lifetime member of Kappa Alpha Order. He received his Master’s degree from Stephen F. Austin University in 1974. Tom was a longtime educator beginning in Gonzales, Texas in the mid-1960’s and continuing in Tyler ISD. He taught at Robert E. Lee from 1968-1978, sponsored the Lee Gentlemen, and served as Assistant Principal for Instruction at Lee 1978-79; following that Tom developed the K-12 Gifted & Talented program in the early 1980’s. During that period he also served as Interim Principal at Moore Middle School in the spring semester of 1981. Tom was named Director of Secondary Education in 1982 and served in that capacity until retirement when his position had been elevated to Executive Director of Secondary Instruction. In that capacity, he oversaw nine campuses. During Mr. Gregory’s time in administration for Tyler ISD, he implemented the Academic Decathlon program for the two high schools and later the Academic Pentathlon for the six middle schools. Later the International Baccalaureate program at John Tyler High School was developed and implemented by Mr. Gregory. Tom was elected President of the Texas Middle School Association in 1989-90. He also made clear that he never could have accomplished anything worthwhile without the innumerable talents and patience of Marcia Bostik. Following retirement from Tyler ISD in 1995, Mr. Gregory taught part time at the University of Texas at Tyler. Realizing how he missed teaching young people, Tom taught and served in administrative roles at All Saints Episcopal School for nine years. His final professional retirement was in May of 2006. Throughout his career as an educator, he focused on people first. Relationships were at the heart of his work, and former students and colleagues attest to the profound impact he had on their lives. His heart was for developing critical thinkers and responsible citizens, and his passion for social justice led him to work to create opportunities for all students. When Tom returned to Tyler in 1968, he was a member of Pollard UMC, where he was very active. He transferred his membership back to Marvin where he had been baptized. Tom served on the Administrative Council at Marvin and later volunteered in the Welcome Center. His faith was central to his life, and he strove to live out Jesus’ first commandment: to love God and your neighbors in all you do. One of Tom’s favorite roles was being Uncle Tom to his nieces Jennifer and Amanda and his nephew James. He was also a devoted big brother to his sister, Greta, and he had a gift for nurturing friendships that lasted a lifetime. Tom is survived by his sister, Greta of Tomball, his nieces and nephew Jennifer (Keith) Blackmon of Dripping Springs, James (Amy) Watkins of Tyler, Amanda (Sam) Conger of Cypress, numerous great nieces and nephews, and special friends Susan Allen, Edwina Bullman, Tim Gaut, and Pat Christensen. If desired, memorials in Tom’s name may be made at Marvin UMC and Pets Fur People in Tyler, Texas.

Tom Gregory

June 23, 1941 - May 1, 2026