Thomas Roger DeGregori

In Loving Memory of Thomas Roger DeGregori

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Thomas Roger DeGregori, 90, who died Sunday, June 22, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was preceded in death by his father James Victor DeGregori, mother Mary Tambascio DeGregori and nephew Kevin O'Brien. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Gayle Sutherland DeGregori, whom he married after awhirlwind courtship, just two and a half weeks after meeting. Gayle and Tom were the love of each other's lives and remained side by side until his death. Thomas is also survived by his daughter, Alice Morales, sons, James DeGregori (Mercedes Rincon) and Roger DeGregori (Staci Dennis), grandchildren, Alejandro and Diego Morales, Michael and Zoey DeGregori, and Jack and Abby DeGregori, sister, Jeanne DeGregori O'Brien, nephew Kenny O’Brien, and nieces Kathi, Kimberly and Kellee O’Brien. Leaving behind a legacy of love, kindness, and inspiration, he will forever be remembered in the hearts of those who knew him.

Born May 5, 1935, in Cleveland, Ohio to James Victor DeGregori and Mary Tambascio DeGregori, Dr. DeGregori, as he was known to the students whom he taught during his 60 years as a professor of economics, lived a life that was marked by a dedication to making a difference. After getting a B.A. in Government and Philosophy in 1959, and an M.A. in Economics in 1960 from the University of New Mexico, Thomas DeGregori traveled with his new bride to Africa to study for his PhD, which he earned in 1965 in Economics from the University of Texas. Dr. DeGregori began his remarkable teaching career at UT as a teaching assistant from 1959 to 1962, then served as Visiting Lecturer, Faculty of Economics, from 1962 to 1963 at the University of Khartoum in the Sudan. Returning to the United States to join his extended family in Cleveland, Ohio, where they had taken up roots after immigrating to Ohio from Italy, DeGregori took a position at the Case Institute of Technology in Cleveland where he taught from 1963 to 1967. It was in Cleveland that Thomas and his wife Gayle had their first two children, Alice, now 61 years old, and James, 59, who were both born at the same hospital where their father was born, Western Reserve Medical Hospital. The son of an opera singer (his mother), it came as no surprise that Tom grew to be an opera lover himself.

In 1967, Tom moved his growing family to Texas after accepting a job at the University of Houston, where he and his wife had their third and last child, Roger, now 57. Dr. DeGregori, who was tenured in his first year at UH, was Chairman of the Department of Economics from 1969 to 1971, and held the honorable position of Professor Emeritus until his death, went on to spend the next 53 years teaching economics at UH. He was a great man whose life touched so many in profound and meaningful ways, and an outstanding professor whose animated and unique style of teaching captivated his audiences and made him a favorite among students who loved his “Amazing Lectures”. Dr. DeGregori consistently received the highest ratings on Rate My Professor, where it was said of him, “This will be the greatest professor you will have and you will remember his lectures forever.” It wasn’t unusual for a former student to contact him to say that he had changed not only their thinking or the direction of career, but their lives.

Thomas DeGregori, who leaves a legacy of compassion and resilience, authored five major books, edited five others, and wrote numerous monographs and scholarly publications throughout his long and productive life. He was especially proud of his work with USAID, which began in 1978 when he took his family to live in Virgina for a year while he was working in D.C. for the government on the USAID project. His work in promoting agricultural technology, focused on Africa and SE Asia, saved innumerable lives. Dr. DeGregori served on many editorial boards and boards of directors, including the Board of Directors of the American Council on Science and Health. He was a popular speaker, lecturer, and consultant both nationally and internationally who sought to expose the myths and disinformation espoused by anti-technology elitists to denigrate the human ingenuity that has added so much to our quality and quantity of life. DeGregori worked as a government consultant and lived in South Africa, Sudan, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Pakistan, hired by these countries to teach them about technology and science in economic development and agriculture in the hope of creating a world of people who are better fed, healthier, and longer lived. Dr. DeGregori’s fields of specialization were Agriculture – Global Production, Food Supply and Hunger, Technology and Science in Economic Development, and African, Asian, and Caribbean Economic Development. He possessed an immense wealth of knowledge about every one of these areas of specialization, as well as many other areas. 

Universally admired and respected by his colleagues, Dr. DeGregori was well-known for his expertise on a wide range of topics, which he achieved through a passion for reading, his ability to speed read, and a near-photographic memory. He read many thousands of books during his long life, making him a virtual walking encyclopedia of information on subjects ranging from baseball to blues to war, whether it be WWII or the current conflict in the Middle East. While continuing to fight for progress in racial equality, peace in the Middle East, and immigration rights, DeGregori was especially passionate about science and technology and its use in eradicating world hunger, in particular the use of GMOs for that purpose. It wasn’t only world hunger that DeGregori was passionate about, he fought for many causes throughout his lifetime. A lifelong Democrat who served as Chairman of the Harris County Democrats when he was young, he was a strong advocate for civil rights who, along with his wife, participated in sit-in protests of “separate but equal” policies in Austin in the late 1950s. Whether through personal endeavors, professional pursuits, or acts of kindness, Tom lived with purpose and passion. Those who carry the memory of this extraordinary individual will strive to honor him by continuing to spread positivity and hope, just as he did.

A service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 28th, at the A.D. Bruce Religion Center at the University of Houston, 3841 Cullen Blvd, to honor his memory and celebrate his life, allowing all who were touched by his presence to gather and reflect on the moments shared. There will be a reception immediately following the service at the Atrium, located upstairs above the chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). 

May we find comfort in the love and memories that remain, and may his soul rest in eternal peace.