Okolona native and former NFL football player Jack Gregory dies

OKOLONA, Miss (WCBI)- Okolona native and former NFL football player Jack Gregory passed away over the weekend.

Monroe County Coroner Alan Gurley said the 74-year-old died from natural causes, while at Diversicare of Amory nursing home.

From growing up in a small town to making it big, Jack Gregory is known for his 13-year NFL career as a defensive end for the New York Giants.

The eyes that watched him play on screen now hold tears of goodbyes as they remember a town hero and their friend.

“I know that he’ll be honored and humbled by all walks of life. And the people that just uh, he touched a lot of people and had a heart uh, had a heart as big as everything so uh we’re just honored by that our pour of love uh I know he would be too,” said Gregory’s son E.J Gregory III.

Monroe County Coroner Alan Gurley said he was in the hospital and then transported to Diversicare of Amory nursing home.

He later died from natural causes.

He have left this earth but the memories of Gregory will forever hold a place in Okolona.

“When he was in town, that’s where we wanted to be, you know and after he retired he was there a lot , we wanted to there, many many people our age uh felt the same way when he held the rodeos and uh things like that,” said Gregory’s friend Keith Sanderson.

“He’s gonna be deeply missed by a lot of folks and uh, he just uh him and his brother I grew up like I said, grew up on the farms with them, and just enjoyed their company just, he’s gonna be greatly missed,” said Gregory’s friend Greg Lambert.

The celebration of Gregory’s life will be held tomorrow at the Okolona Presbyterian Church at 1 p.m.