Gregory Michael Paul Booth, 64, of Mooringsport, LA, passed away on October 22, 2021 in Bossier City, LA.  

Greg was born in Milwaukee, WI on January 24, 1957 to Elizabeth and George Booth. Greg went to school in Greenfield, WI and graduated from Greenfield High School in 1975. Shortly thereafter, in 1976, Greg was paralyzed in a car accident, but never let that slow him down or define him. He worked at Sears & Roebuck, Bluemells Landscaping, and in the travel industry before leaving the cold Wisconsin winters for the intense Texas heat in 1987. 

Once in Texas, Greg earned his Associate Degree from DeVry University in Dallas. He then worked various jobs including travel agency manager, news producer for a nationwide radio news network, bench technician for a small medical supply company, and mechanical designer with a small start-up telecom company. He then began his long career working with Abbott Laboratories. Greg held many positions at Abbott including assembler, test technician, documentation specialist, manufacturing engineering support technician, and most recently, worked as an engineering technician in the failure analysis group. After 20 years with Abbott, Greg retired to join his wife, Penny, in purchasing and running Good Going Pet Resort in Mooringsport, LA. 

In September 1998, Greg met the love of his life, Penny. Greg found her love of animals endearing and her dream of owning and operating her own boarding facility to be intriguing. When Greg first met Penny’s daughters, Schuyler whispered to her mother, “marry this man”, and she did. They were engaged on December 19, 1998 and married the following year on September 4, 1999 in McKinney, TX. Greg and Penny walked down the aisle as man and wife for the first time to Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Pride & Joy. Their love story was featured in The Dallas Morning News and a story from the article recalls one evening they were out dancing and Greg spun right out of his wheelchair; within seconds, he was back in his chair to continue to dance the night away. Later in the evening, a woman approached Penny and told her how special she was; Penny replied, “I’m not the special one, he is”. Penny has always felt that Greg was the most handsome man she has ever seen and still feels that way today. Penny would melt at the daily voicemails waiting for her at work, the sweet love notes, and the cards misted with Greg’s cologne. For over 22 years, Greg and Penny have adored each other every minute of every day with a love that would rival even the greatest of romances. 

Music was the foundation of Greg’s soul. He was an avid music enthusiast, appreciating every genre of music, but found solace in rock & roll and the blues. He loved to play his guitar and harmonica, organize and reorganize his extensive album collection, and share that worship for music with his family, friends, and specifically, his grandchildren. He loved woodworking and finding ways to create beautiful things with his hands. He could never quench his thirst for Mt. Dew or mayonnaise, made the most delicious mashed potatoes, had a life-long love affair with deviled eggs, sugar with a side of coffee, never missed an episode of Jeopardy, would forever cheer on his Green Bay Packers, could re-watch Breaking Bad a million times over, loved the color green, and could never get enough Blue Bell vanilla ice cream. He always had a smile and story for anyone who would listen, was a friend to everyone, and never had a cross word or complaint. He had a special twinkle in his eye, a kind and welcoming soul, and a charisma that drew people to him. 

Greg’s kindness and compassion was most especially evident in his love of animals. He found his purest joy with his dogs and spent the majority of his days training them, playing with them, and loving them. The dogs shared in that love and would follow Greg to the ends of the earth and back. Dogs are known to be a good judge of character, which would explain their unending devotion to him. Greg found his “soul dog” in Doobie and they shared a connection most only read about in stories. 

Greg took extreme pride in his two grandchildren Merrick Wren (19) and Avery Emerson (15) of Fort Worth, TX. Greg was there from the minute they were born and every minute after. He was the most dedicated grandfather and Merrick and Avery always said he was their bestest friend. He would let them ride on his lap in his wheelchair and “pop wheelies”, call them and portray Santa Claus every year to remind them to be good, spend hours on the phone with them discussing all of their latest interests, play online games with them and their friends, write music and songs to sing with them, record their at home “concerts”, color and paint with them, watch the stars together, watch and reenact the movie “Cat in the Hat” a million times, teach them how to cook grilled cheese sandwiches, and always made sure they knew that they were special, loved, and that there was nothing in the world he would not do for them. Merrick (Grandpa’s Butt Nugget) and Avery (Grandpa’s Poonschka) are both blessed beyond measure to have had the trajectory of their lives impacted by such an amazing “Gramps”. 

Greg was also the most amazing “Bonus” dad to Schuyler and Ashley. From the moment he entered their lives he showed them unconditional love, support, and kindness. Greg and Schuyler would spend hours talking and sharing jokes and, specifically silly puns with each other. He and Ashley had their own special inside jokes (yeah – yeah) and bonded over Greg’s extraordinary support of Ashley and her teammates in Special Olympics. He had a very close relationship with Mark (Schuyler’s husband) and shared decades of laughter, friendship, inside jokes (right, right, left, right, left), fishing, special memories (John Mayer concert, swimming, pranks, and mischief), and an unrelenting support of each other. He also had a close relationship with Jake (Ashley’s boyfriend) and they spent time together jamming out, playing the guitar and harmonica, watching movies, woodworking, outdoor activities, their passion for animals, and their morning routine of coffee and prayers. Greg was a fixture at every family event and never missed an opportunity to celebrate and show pride in his family. 

Greg was an extremely faithful person and relied heavily on his love of God to guide him. In times of sorrow and uncertainty, it was his faith that lifted him up and directed his path. There is no doubt that Greg is dancing free of any worldly restraints, reuniting with his loved ones, and feeling at home in the arms of the Lord. We have all gained the most beautiful guardian angel. 

Greg is preceded in death by his parents, George (OB) and Elizabeth Booth; as well as his grandparents Joseph and Marie Booth (George’s parents) and Joseph and Anna Serwatka (Elizabeth’s parents). 

Greg is survived by his wife of 22 years, Penny Booth; daughter Schuyler Ivey, husband Mark, and their children Merrick and Avery of Fort Worth, TX; daughter Ashley Averyt and her boyfriend Jake Trahan of Mooringsport, LA; brother George Booth, wife Cindy, and nieces Danielle, Kristin, and Tracy; sister Patricia Williams, husband Michael, nephew Kyle (fiancé Jordan Letcher), and niece Paige (husband Sam) Shadowen; sister Ann Weiland, husband Allan, niece Mallori, and nephew Luke. Greg is also survived by numerous cousins, aunts and uncles, and countless friends. 

No written words could truly encompass the impact Greg has had on all of those around him. His infectious laugh and smile would charm everyone he met and the world is a richer, kinder, and more compassionate place for having had Greg in it. Greg’s family would like to express our sincerest gratitude for the outpouring of love and support during our heartache. The impact that Greg has had on others will be felt for decades to come. 

And to our dearest Greg ~ Love Ya, So Long.

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