Jimmie Blaine Gregory

Jim (Jimmie) Blaine "Duck" Gregory, 74, passed away peacefully in his sleep Monday, April 14, 2025 at his home in Cottage Grove, MN he shared with his wife and son.    

Jim was born in Emporia, KS on December 29, 1950 to E. Blaine and Louise (Soyez) Gregory, who preceded him in death.

He attended grade school and high school in Emporia, KS. Jim entered the workforce by following in his father's footsteps and joined the Santa Fe Railroad. He worked as a trackman for many years and after a workforce reduction, he went on to other jobs in the Emporia area.

His passion later in life was to own his own company. He formed Top Speed Digital with his wife and became a self-taught photographer and attended Drag Boat Races in several southern states. He was very much welcomed and accepted by the racers and made many, many friends.

In 1978 (December 16), Jim married Barbara Hankinson in Emporia. They were blessed with a son, Wesley Blaine, in 1980. Jim was active in and loved duck hunting, bowling, darts, horseshoes, drag boat racing, NASCAR, his family, friends, and all the pets he had in his life.     

Since his illness started in 2009, that eventually sidelined him and was the reason we started to reside in Minnesota, he became an avid MN Vikings and Golden Gophers fan, although he was still a KC Chiefs fan as well.

Jim is survived by his wife, Barbara, his son Wesley Blaine who has helped his mother care for his dad all these years; his sister Wanda Schwintz (Ark City, KS); his 3 beautiful/handsome grandchildren Dylan (Fargo, ND), Aidan (and his girlfriend Abby) (Newport, MN), Kyley (Westland, MI), and their mother Kelly Petersen (Westland, MI) who has always been there for us.    

He is also survived by his sisters-in-law Donna Bjorgaard (Topeka, KS), Melissa Brown and husband Ted (Boise, ID); brother-in-law Chad Hankinson and wife Rebecca (Arcadia, FL); many nieces, nephews, and friends.