Comedian James Gregory dies at 78

"Funniest Man in America" was a regular at Chattanooga's Comedy Catch

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A comedian who considered Chattanooga part of his home territory has died from heart complications.

James Gregory was 78.

The Georgia native made a career touring southern comedy clubs and was a main stay at the Comedy Catch here.

He never used the term “southern comedian” … he just called his humor “down home.”

Gregory said he turned down an appearance once on the Tonight Show because they wanted him to speed up his delivery.

The comedian had just completed an autobiography that will be published in November.