GREGORY, Dave

DAVE GREGORY 1944 ~ 2026 David McLeod Gregory, beloved husband to Elizabeth, father to Kelly, father-in-law to Doug and papa to Heath and Rory, passed away peacefully at Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge on January 17, 2026, at the age of 81.
David graduated from Saint John High School in 1963. He attended The Teachers’ College in Fredericton and graduated in 1965. He enrolled at the University of New Brunswick, graduating in 1968 from the Faculty of Arts (Economics, History and Education). He then began teaching in Fredericton. He later decided to pursue a career in school administration. In 1970, Dave, Bette Anne and 3-month-old Kelly moved to Edmonton where Dave attended the University of Alberta, eventually graduating with a degree in Education.
The Gregorys moved to the small town of Brooks. Bette Anne continued nursing, and Dave became the Vice-Principal at Brooks Composite High School where he remained until the middle of the 1977/78 school year. He accepted the position as Principal at F. P. Walshe School in Fort Macleod for the remainder of that school year and stayed for the following 26 years. David retired in 2003 after 33 years as a school administrator.
Mr. G loved his students. He loved their energy and witnessed their successes as they pursued their passions. He marveled at their transformations as human beings from Grade 8 through to Grade 12. He also kept a keen eye on “the kids” as they went on to realize their futures – careers, marriages and beginning families of their own.
“G” recognized and passionately promoted the values of extracurricular pursuits. After regular school hours, he remained engaged with students by coaching basketball, going on canoeing, skiing and camping trips and who can forget his 25+ year love of coaching volleyball! Oh, how he loved volleyball!! He became very involved with ASAA and the Canadian School Sports Federation. He was recognized many times for his contributions to high school athletics in the Province of Alberta, particularly in the South Zone.
He believed deeply in the F. P. Walshe motto “Success Lies in Endeavour” and said he found a great deal of success by using common sense, having an abundance of patience and laughing a lot! After retirement, he was quoted as saying, “I had the best time”.
In 1982, David was initiated into Freemasonry at Alberta Lodge #3 in Fort Macleod. He became a Master Mason that same year and in 1991 held the office of Worshipful Master of Lodge #3. He became a District Deputy Grand Master of The Grand Lodge of Alberta in 2009. David was passionate about the educational assistance provided young people through The Grand Lodge Higher Education Bursary Fund. He was so proud to be a member of this ancient and honorable society representing Alberta Lodge #3 in Fort Macleod. He dearly loved his masonic brothers and the time spent with them.
Dad, you made so many great contributions; not many folks will forget the shining example you set and the pride you took doing the job that you loved. You earned a lot more than a paycheck…you gained the respect and esteem of so many people with your willingness to listen, the autonomy you allowed and the trust you placed. You left the world a bit better. To quote a word you so often used to compliment the exceptional performance and quality of others, you too were “outstanding”.
Following retirement, Dave and Bette Anne spent a large amount of time north of Cowley at the trailer by the Old Man Reservoir. Mornings spent sipping coffee and looking out at the mountains, foothills and water to the west was their happy place. He spent endless hours puttering around and taking his grandkids and their friends out in the boat or pulling them in the tube, doing his best to “dump” them and then laughing at the screams and smiles come from behind the boat. He and mom would often take leisurely rides together just to see the sights. The “Lord of the Ring” was very proud of his self-built, rather large fire pit area which he made sure had plenty of room for anyone who wanted to come and sit a spell. Plenty of laughter could be heard echoing through the darkness from the Gregory lot.
You were a most devoted family man and a selfless consummate caregiver to my mother, honoring the contract you entered with her in October of 1967 until her death in 2022. Heath and Rory couldn’t have had a grandfather who loved them more or a grandfather for them to love and to look up to. Doug, who lost his father at an early age, embraced your friendship and love, and was grateful for the tight-knit bond you came to have.
“Dad” is my brilliantly simple name for a simply brilliant man. I am grateful for the way you and mom raised me and for teaching me the importance of being there for the people I care about and how to treat others with kindness. Because of you, I know the difference between right and wrong, how to be honest, and how to live my life with integrity.
Thank you, Dad.
A Come and Go Celebration of Life for Dave and Bette Anne will be held from 1-4PM on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 – 4 St. S, Lethbridge.
Visit www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.