Richard Kent Gregory

To have known Richard Kent Gregory is to know that the American story does exist - that someone from humble beginnings can, with hard work, attain success in his career, serve his country and his community well, and be a model husband, father and friend.

Dick was born in Kiefer, OK in 1928. Under the dark clouds of the Depression, he, along with his mother and three siblings, moved to New Jersey. After graduating from high school in Elizabeth, NJ, he enlisted in the Marine Corps, received a fleet appointment to the US Naval Academy and then went on as to serve as an officer in the Marine Corps for four and a half years.

Upon completing his military service, he began a career that ultimately brought him to Charleston, where his hard work, vision, and persistence - along with his community spirit and generosity - left the Lowcountry a better place.

His first role in the civilian workforce was as an engineer with S. Morgan Smith Company in York, PA. Following that, he accepted a position at the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics in where he ultimately became Director of Operations for facilities in Groton, Connecticut and Quonset Point, Rhode Island. He was then transferred to South Carolina in the late 1980s to manage the General Dynamics facility at Bushy Park.

After retiring in 1994, Dick saw enormous potential in the closed Charleston Naval Shipyard. He, along with two partners, privatized the shipyard and successfully operated it as a “one stop shop” for marine manufacturing activities in the Southeast. The Charleston Marine Manufacturing Corporation (CMMC), which he served as president for 22 Years, has grown to include more than 30 companies and is considered by many to be the most successful such privatization effort.

Dick also lent his energy and ideas to benefit the community directly by serving twice as president of the Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce and twice as the governor’s choice to serve as Economic Ambassador for Charleston County, in addition to serving on a number of community boards. Most people will remember his positivity, counsel, kindness, and generosity.

Dick is survived by his widow, Courtenay Cordes McDowell, two daughters, Gretchen Grund Gregory and Sally Booth Gregory(Richard Krumdieck); a son David Kent Gregory (Stava); five grandchildren, Lindsay Gregory Bottoms (Nick), Nicole Gregory Williams (Derrick), Hannah Macklin, Gabrielle Macklin Bickford (Josh),Soren Granger; stepsons, Sumter Tisdale and Reese Tisdale, and by his siblings Sue Norris, Helen Gregory, David Craig Gregory, and Janee Gregory Grasso. He is predeceased by his parents, Havannah Sharpe Gregory and Clyde Gregory, and by his first wife, Gretchen Klingler Gregory, and siblings Clifford and Mary Gregory McCue.

His Funeral Service will be Saturday, September 6th, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Grace Church Cathedral, 98 Wentworth St. Internment will be in Kingston, RI.

The service will be live-streamed at: https://www.youtube.com/@GraceChurchChrlstn

Memorial gifts may be made to Grace Church Cathedral and Bishop Gadsden Employee Fund.

Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr Inc. - Downtown Chapel.