Brian Gregory

Brian Gregory, age 64 of West Des Moines, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at UnityPoint Health - Methodist West Hospital.

Brian Edwin Gregory was born at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, on May 31, 1962, the first of three children born to Everett and Mary Caren (Wilson) Gregory. At a young age, the Gregory family moved to Santa Ana, California, and later returned home to Mitchellville, IA. Brian graduated from Southeast Polk High School in 1981, and continued his education at Des Moines Area Community College.

On October 6, 2001, Brian was united in marriage with Kristine Heinrichs at St. Henry’s Catholic Church in Marshalltown. They were blessed with 25 years together and their two “babies”, their cats: Chewy Lewis and Xena Catherine.

Brian worked at Casey’s headquarters in Ankeny for several years. He was a sensitive soul that loved deeply and helped other in many ways. Brian was a gifted artist in painting and airbrush and he had a gorgeous singing voice. If you needed to know absolutely anything about music in all genres, history or political trivia – Brian was your guy! Brian was the champion at trivia games and would share his deep, jolly belly laugh with those around them when they gave him a surprised look when he knew the most obsolete answer. Kristy often had to remind him to use his “inside laugh” when around people they didn’t know too well so he didn’t scare them off.

Brian enjoyed sports as well, some of his teams were the Iowa Hawkeyes, Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks, the Yankees and the Reds. Basically, you could ask Kristy her favorite teams and Brian would say the opposite. Their varying tastes in teams built a bond between the two of them through trash talking and giving each other a hard time. Brian was always known to tease and joke around with his friends and family, which really was just him showing how much he loved all of them.

Brian leaves behind so many people who love and miss him. Left to cherish his memory are his wife Kristy of West Des Moines; his parents: Everett and Mary Gregory; siblings: Cari (Kevin) Fitzgerald and Brock (Stephanie) Gregory; nieces and nephews: Leah and her daughter Sloane, Chase, Ava, and Jackson. His brothers and sisters-in-law: Gary (Paula) Heinrichs, Dale (Kathy) Heinrichs, Jeanne Oetker, Karen (Larry) Brown, Jack (Rae) Heinrichs, Doug (Sherie) Heinrichs, and Jeff Heinrichs (Geri Larson); 19 nieces and nephews and many great-great nieces and nephews. Brian has many extended family members and his babies: Chewy Lewis and Xena.

In death, Brian is reunited with his grandparents: Edwin and Carol Wilson and Marvin and Helen Nuese; his in-laws, Clete and Ruth Heinrichs; and brother-in-law, Ron Oetker.

Per Brian’s family’s wishes, cremation rites will take place. There will be services held at a later date. For more information or to leave online condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Ph. 641-844-1234.

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