Walter M. Gregory

Walter M. Gregory

Walter M. Gregory, former barber in Lusk thru the 1930s into the 1940s died July 18, 1989 at Keller, Texas at the age of 101. He had been a resident of Mamosa Manor since the fall of 1985.

Gregory's Barber Shop was located at the front of the Lusk Herald. It was a popular gathering place since usually interesting talks, discussions or pranks (all questionable) were held or formulated there. With a complete package of haircut, shave, shampoo and message totaling one dollar something had to keep up the spirits.

Gregory later did barbering in the Greeley, Colorado area. Following this he was traveling Salesman, accompanied by his wife, "Nobi", with a territory encompassing most of the western states, until they semi-retired in Youngtown, Arizona, at the age of 67.

Youngtown was a relatively new retirement town approximately 23 miles northwest of Phoenix, and was soon followed by the large Sun City adjoining it on the north and east.

Gregory said, "I could not afford to retire at 67, but Ralph and Vira Olinger talked us into the move, so I figured out other ways to keep producing." Therefore Gregory continued, for nearly 20 years, to barber on his back porch; was a part time salesman for automobiles and motorized golf carts; did part time taxi driving into Phoenix and the airport; taught over 450 new widows and other older ladies to drive their own autos (for $2.50 per hour) in competition to commercial instruction where the ladies were taught at $10.50 per hour in company autos, and then often had trouble mastering the controls in their own autos.

Walter Gregory was born April 20, 1888 in Wichita, Kansas, to George and Mattie Gregory. He was preceded in death by his wife, "Nobi", in 1984, and was moved from Youngtown by "Nobi's" niece, Martha Brown of Colleyville, Texas, to Mamosa Manor in the fall of 1985. Keller and Colleyville are on the north edge of Ft. Worth.

Walter Gregory was interred July 20 in Resthaven Cemetery at Peoria, Arizona, beside his wife "Nobi".

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