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Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
TO EXPRESS THE DEEP SADNESS OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON LEARNING OF THE RECENT DEATH OF FORMER SOUTH CAROLINA SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE GEORGE T. GREGORY, AND TO EXTEND THEIR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.
Whereas, the members of the General Assembly were deeply saddened to learn of the death of former South Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice George T. Gregory, Jr., who died Wednesday, January 22, 2003, at his Chester home. He was 81; and
Whereas, Justice Gregory joined the Supreme Court in 1975 and was Chief Justice from 1988 until his retirement in 1991. "George Gregory was just a wonderful man, a very gentle man, a very compassionate man," former Chief Justice David Harwell said Thursday. "He was just a good, humble servant"; and
Whereas, during Gregory's tenure, the Supreme Court initiated a number of changes, including adopting new rules of professional conduct for lawyers and adding nine trial judges to the circuit court system. Justice Harwell, who succeeded Justice Gregory as Chief Justice, said Gregory kept the state judicial system "running smoothly" during lean economic times; and
Whereas, Justice Gregory was born in McConnells in York County on December 13, 1921. He overcame childhood polio to realize his lifelong dream of becoming a lawyer and judge. He graduated from Chester High School and earned his bachelor's and law degrees from the University of South Carolina; and
Whereas, Justice Gregory started practicing law in Chester in 1944 and served as a municipal judge from 1946 to 1950. He was a state representative in the 1950's and became a circuit court judge in 1956, a position he held until his election to the Supreme Court in 1975; and
Whereas, Justice Gregory was recognized by lawyers and his judicial peers alike as being one of the most caring and conscientious jurists of his day. Those who worked closely with him knew of the courtesy and helping hand so often extended to all lawyers coming before him, and especially to the newer members of the bar, and recognized that he wrestled with the great responsibility and consequences attendant to service as a jurist. They also knew that he worked tirelessly to insure that justice was served in South Carolina; and
Whereas, known as a kind and compassionate man, Justice Gregory once said his most difficult case as a Justice was the 1979 opinion he wrote upholding the death sentences of the first two offenders executed in South Carolina after state lawmakers reinstated the death penalty. "There's an awful lot of agonizing about everything a court does," Gregory said in a 1992 interview after his retirement. "The responsibility is so great, and the consequences of what you do are so great"; and
Whereas, Justice Gregory was buried Saturday, January 25, 2003, at Evergreen Cemetery in Chester. He was predeceased by his wife, Willie Elliott and is survived by his sons, George T. Gregory III and William Elliott Gregory, and grandchildren John Elliott Gregory, James Robert Gregory, Georgeann Pascal Gregory, and Joseph Edward Gregory; and
Whereas, Justice Gregory was well known and highly respected throughout the State and it is entirely appropriate that the members of the General Assembly pause in their deliberations to express their deep sadness on learning of his death, and to also extend their deepest sympathy to his family and many friends. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
That the members of the General Assembly, by this resolution, express their deep sadness on learning of the recent death of former South Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice George T. Gregory, and extend their deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to George T. Gregory III of Myrtle Beach, and William Elliott Gregory of Columbia.
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