Chaplain Payson Gregory, 37-Year Service Award

Nearly 89 years ago Chaplain Payson Gregory was born in Oakland, Calif. As a 17-year-old US Navy enlistee, he was given a service man’s New Testament at the Naval Induction Center in ID. It changed his eternal destiny and his life’s goals. In the US Navy, he volunteered as a gunner on a torpedo bomber to hunt and kill Japanese submarines. All this time he was studying his Serviceman’s Bible. His goal was to come home, marry the church organist, and go to Biola Christian University and Cal Baptist University to become a local pastor. It has been said, “It is doubtful if any man can be used greatly until God has permitted him to be hurt deeply.” In Payson Gregory’s last semester, his wife and son were stricken with polio. His son, David, after several surgeries was able to walk. After feeding, bathing and dressing his wife for 6 years, God called her home. Payson Gregory remarried and joined Campus Crusade for Christ, staff at Arrowhead Springs, Calif. in their prison ministry. In 1977, he joined Chaplain’s Health Care Ministry Association at the old county hospital on Gilbert Street, now Arrowhead Regional Hospital. Chaplain Gregory became a San Bernardino Co. Reserve Sworn Deputy Sheriff allowing him to minister to prisoners brought into the hospital jail ward as well as those in protective custody to share God’s love and forgiveness. For many years he taught a weekly women’s Bible study at West Valley Detention Center. On May 25 of this year Chaplain Gregory passed away in one of the beds at Arrowhead Regional Hospital where he had served faithful as their Chaplain 24/7 sharing God’s love and forgiveness, a real asset in the healing process. He was recently honored with a plaque at the Arrowhead Regional Hospital for his 37 years of service. His wife, Elaine, received the plaque in his honor. “Well done good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:21.