Gregory Andrew Champion
Gregory Andrew Champion passed away on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, after an unexpected medical event.
He was born to Maurice and Elizabeth Champion in Ashtabula, Oh., on March 5, 1975. His family lived in Ohio until 1981 when they moved to Kansas City, Mo. They eventually settled in Lincoln, Ne., where Greg graduated from Lincoln Northeast High School in 1992 and attended The University of Nebraska Lincoln, graduating with a BA in Management and Human Relations from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville in 2009.
He met the love of his life, Vena Bagwell, in 1990 at an Episcopal Youth Event in Montana. After several years in a long-distance relationship, they began seriously dating in 1996 and were married at St Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church in Fayetteville, Tn. on Aug. 9, 1997. They lived in Cookeville then Mount Juliet, Tn.; eventually settling in Chattanooga. They were blessed with two wonderful children Gregory Andrew II and Emmy, both of whom love the arts, theatre, and acting like their mother. Greg was very outgoing. He never met a stranger and was always willing to lend a hand to a friend in need. He was active in his church, St. Martin’s, and worked in their food outreach, as part of the Diocesan Episcopal Churchman of Tennessee and the Dubose Conference Center. He dearly loved his children, the Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Titans.
Greg worked in sales for most of his career, first at Gallup, Enterprise, and then Verizon. Most recently he had been working in business insurance. Tragically, his wife succumbed to cancer in 2022 after a long illness. He then fell in love with Dominique Drake. They were engaged to be married when he suddenly passed.
He is survived by his father, Rev. Maurice Champion-Garthe retired, and his wife Marybeth; his mother, Elizabeth Greenshields and her husband Sam; his children Gregory Andrew (Drew) Champion II and Emmy Champion; his brother, Chris Champion and his wife Michelle; his step-sister, Eve Ringsmuth and her husband Simon; nephews, nieces, and many extended family and friends. He is preceded in death by his wife Vena Champion (Bagwell) and his grandparents.
His wishes were for cremation. Greg’s services will be on Saturday, Oct. 21, at Saint Martin of Tours Episcopal Church at 2 p.m. A private family service and interment will follow at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Fayetteville, where he will be interred next to Vena.
Visit the online obituary at www.heritagechattanooga.com to post tributes and share memories.
Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd Chapel.