Gregory John Gereaux, 65, died suddenly on Sunday, August 25, 2024.

Greg was born in St. Louis, Mo. His father’s transfer to Roanoke with Norfolk and Western Railway brought the family to Roanoke, where Greg graduated from Northside High School. He was a former Fincastle resident and a longtime Catawba resident.

Greg followed in his father’s footsteps, working for Norfolk Southern Railway, where he served the signal shop and received the NS Thoroughbred Safety Award. He also worked for Roanoke County Schools and Choice Hotels, and he was a member of Catawba United Methodist Church.

Greg was preceded in death by his father, John Gereaux; and his father-in-law, Scottie Thomas.

He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Teresa Gereaux; his mother, Patricia Gereaux of Roanoke; sons, Phillip Gereaux of Richmond and Michael and wife, Kirsten, of New Castle; two beloved grandsons, Levi and Hayden; sisters, Suzanne Gereaux and husband, Jim McDonald, of Lee’s Summit, Mo., and Michelle Gereaux-Karim and husband, Naji Karim, of Roanoke; mother-in-law, Ann Thomas and his Thomas family; aunt, Helen Carty; godmother and aunt, Alice Gereaux; and many dear cousins, nieces, and nephews. He loved his family more than anything.

Greg was larger than life and never met a stranger. He was always laughing, through good times and bad, and was always up for an adventure. In his younger days, he raced motocross and jumped from airplanes (and he had the broken bones to prove it). He started taping shows during his Grateful Dead days and continued taping live music until the end. He loved live music and was quick to share his recordings with other fans. He packed an incredible amount of living into his 65 years.

Greg was a friend of Bill for more than two decades, gaining wonderful friends through that fellowship. He also had many treasured friends from his work at the railroad, his love of live music and the Grateful Dead and the Infamous Stringdusters, his work as a volunteer coach for Special Olympics, his church, and his cardiac rehab.

Greg and his family are grateful for his caring team of doctors and medical professionals made up of Kevin Kelleher, Matthew Kelly, Doug Dorsey, Frederic Rawlins, Richard Konstance, and the nurses at Lewis-Gale Cardiac Rehab.

Greg will be remembered with a Celebration of Life on Friday, August 30, 2024, at the John M. Oakey & Son Chapel in Salem, Va. Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 4 p.m. Pastor Ben Lockart of Catawba United Methodist will lead the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts are suggested for Catawba United Methodist Church, PO Box 129, Catawba, Va. 24070; Area 8 Virginia Special Olympics, 1100 South Main St. Suite B, Blacksburg, Va. 24060; or a meaningful charity. Online condolences may be expressed at www.johnmoakey.com.

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