Lawrence J. "Larry" Gregory

Lawrence J. “Larry” Gregory. Born: December 21, 1943 Died: March 19, 2024.

Lawrence J. “Larry” Gregory, 80 of DeKalb, IL died peacefully at home after a long struggle with dementia.

He was born on December 21,1943 to Lawrence J Gregory Sr and Una Louise (Johnson) Gregory at the Jefferson Barracks Hospital in St Louis, MO. He grew up in Overland, MO. Larry married Carmeda (Carme) Rudasill on August 14, 1966 in Overland, MO. He was a 1961 graduate of Ritenour High School.

Larry earned his BFA from SIU-Carbondale, IL and his MFA from Ohio University in Athens, OH before enlisting in the US Navy where he served as a photographer primarily stationed in Washington DC taking pictures at the White House and the Pentagon. He was then assigned to the Naval Base at Newport RI. After his discharge from the Navy, Larry and family moved from Newport RI to DeKalb where he was hired at NIU as an Associate Professor of Photography. Larry taught at the University and served six of his 38 years as the Assistant Director of the Art Department before his retirement in 2011.

Larry also served 15 years as a board member of the Ellwood House Association. He served on numerous University Committees, many graduate student reviews, and professional reviews, and several professional affiliations. 

During his 60 plus year career as a photographer, Larry had numerous gallery openings, multiple publications, and his art can be found in many private and public collections. He had a remarkable way of seeing what others could not. 

He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin and friend. He will be missed by his wife, Carme, his daughter Jessica (Korry) Hanson of DeKalb, grandsons Jacob (fiancee Sydney Connor) Hanson of Sycamore and Jeffery Hanson of DeKalb, Brother-in-law Robert (Bob) Madigan, Hazelwood, MO, nieces, nephews and cousins, as well as many friends. 

He was preceded by his parents, his sister-in-law Lynetta Madigan, aunts, uncles, cousins, and many special friends (both 2 legged and 4 legged). 

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Lawrence J. Gregory Memorial Endowment in Art & Design Scholarship C/O NIU Foundation.