Cmdr. Gregory John Hacker, 39, passed away peacefully and unexpectedly at his home in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Monday morning, June 2, 2008. He leaves behind his loving wife of nine years, Cathy, and infant daughter Anna Elizabeth.

Gregory was born Dec. 30, 1968, in Lafayette, Ind.

He grew up in St. Albans, W. Va., and is a 1987 graduate of St. Albans High School. Gregory earned a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering from Purdue University in 1992 while a midshipman in the Naval ROTC program.

Gregory received his commission in the U.S. Navy in 1992 and earned his Naval Flight Officer wings in 1996.

He has proudly flown EA-6B Prowlers in support of combat missions over Kosovo and Afghanistan. Gregory’s current position was at NORAD/ United States Northern Command at Peterson AFB, Colo., as a programs analyst.

Gregory was to begin training for his next tour of duty in February 2009 as Executive Officer/ Commanding Officer for a Prowler squadron transitioning to F-18 Super Hornets at NAS Whidbey Island.

Gregory is the son of Pamela Sue Hacker and the late Jan Douglas Hacker of St. Albans.

In addition to his wife and daughter, Gregory is survived by his mother, sister Dawn Marie, her husband Jeff Miller and their children Megan and Griffin of Mason, Ohio, as well as grandmother Glenna Emery of North Benton, Ohio.

Other surviving family members include uncles Bill and Marc Hacker and Delmar Emery and their families. Gregory was preceded in death by his father Jan Hacker, grandfather Bill Emery and grandparents Dean and Norma Hacker of Converse, Ind.

Gregory had been very active in the Boy Scouts of America and earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1986, and was Vigil Member of the Order of the Arrow.

He loved the outdoors and enjoyed bicycling and woodworking. An avid marksman, Gregory was a Lifetime Member of the NRA.

In lieu of flower, the family requests that donations be made to the Buckskin Council Boy Scouts of American, (BSA) in Gregory’s memory and in recognition of the influence and positive impact that the BSA had on his life; or donations may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association designated for ALS research.

A memorial service with full military honors was held June 7 at Riverlawn Presbyterian Church in St. Albans.

Online condolences may also be made to www.bartlettchapmanfuneralhome.com.

Bartlett-Chapman Funeral Home of St. Albans is in charge of arrangements.