From Henry Sweets at Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum
 
Jim Rehard sent the following announcement of the death of Ralph Gregory who served as administrator of the Mark Twain Birthplace at Florida, Missouri and also as curator of the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum 1975-1977.
 
First administrator for Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site from 1960 – 1975 – Ralph Gregory passed away Sept. 25 at the age of 105.  
 
Mr. Gregory attended the 50th anniversary event of the opening and dedication event of the Mark Twain Memorial Shrine in September 2010 when he was 100 years old.  He was 50 years old when he began to work for the state of Missouri in 1960 at the Mark Twain Shrine and had just gotten married in April the same year.  While engaged in Florida, Mr. Gregory helped to set up the Friends of Florida an organization with an objective to help preserve the town and was involved in the Monroe County Historical Society.  After leaving Florida, MO he became engaged at the Mark Twain Boyhood Home in Hannibal.  Upon retirement from Hannibal he returned to his birth town – Marthasville, MO where he continued to be active in preservation and historic research.
 
Visitation will be held at Nieburg-Vitt Funeral Home, Washington, MO Thursday Oct. 15 from 5 – 8 pm; Memorial service will be Friday Oct. 16 at 11 am at St. Peters UCC, Washington with interment to follow at St. Peters Cemetery.
 
Please feel free to share this with others who may have known Mr. Gregory.
 
Jim Rehard
Northern Missouri Historic District Supervisor
660 258-4955
 
You are always welcome in Missouri State Parks!