Charles Everett Gregg, 77, of Springfield, Missouri, passed away at 8:11 p.m. on Friday, May 26, 2017 in his home.  After battling esophageal cancer for 8 months, he passed peacefully with his wife and son by his side.

Charles was born on December 31, 1939 in Reeds Spring, MO to Daniel Enos Gregg and Sylvia Grace Macomb.  Charles graduated from Spokane High School in 1957 and joined the United States Air Force at the age of 17. Charles met Mieko Ohwa while stationed at Fuchu AS in Tokyo, Japan where they worked in the same office. They were married at the United States Embassy in Tokyo in 1960.  Charles worked as a Security Policeman, rising to the rank of Captain, before retiring from the Air Force in 1984 at Langley Air Force Base, Hampton, Virginia.

While in the Air Force, Charles attended night school and earned a Associate of Arts degree from the University of Maryland, graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, followed by a Masters of Science in Education degree from the University of Southern California.

Charles and Mieko moved to Springfield in 1985. Charles then worked for the Missouri Division of Child Support Enforcement from 1987 to 1997, where he made many friends among his coworkers there.

Among his hobbies, Charles was active in both the local and national Ford Model T and Model A Clubs where he made many close friends.  He especially cherished a friendship with Karl Goodson, who helped Charles with many car projects. Charles enjoyed collecting and restoring classic Ford automobiles, but his final project was a 1940 Chevy cabover truck that he completed before  becoming ill.

Charles is survived by his loving wife, Mieko (Mia), of the home; his son, Charles Eugene (wife, Karla) and two grandsons, Jonathan and Joseph Gregg, all of Springfield, MO.  Charles is also survived by sisters, LulaAnn Chapman (Hairl) of Blue Eye, MO and Anna Merle Grim of Springfield, MO; brothers Edgar Gregg (Donna) of Branson, and Mignon Elmer Gregg (Dixie) of Springfield, MO, and many relatives. Charles is preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Nathan Enos Gregg.

Charles served in Vietnam from March 1967 to March 1968, and was awarded the United States Air Force Bronze Star commendation for valor in service.

Services will be at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home in Springfield, Missouri on Thursday, June 1, 2017 with visitation beginning at 10:00 am and memorial service at 11:00 am.  Graveside services with military honors immediately following at the National Cemetery at Seminole and Glenstone.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Spokane Alumni Association or Ozarks Antique Auto Club for OTC Automotive Scholarship.