Owen Gresham

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Owen Garside "Pap" Gresham (born October 8, 1888; died November 21, 1972) was a mortgage executive and long-time member of the Jefferson County Board of Education.

Gresham was the son of Edward and Mary Sims Gresham. He played tackle for the 1909 and 1910 Crimson Tide football teams, and was named captain during his senior campaign. In 1911 Gresham remained at the University as a fellow and assistant in gymnasium.

Gresham was a member of the Jefferson Rifles of the Alabama National Guard and volunteered for duty during World War I. He entered service as a field artillery sergeant and was promoted to captain.

In 1924 Gresham served as vice-president of the Alabama Home Mortgage Company and assistant manager for the Alabama Home Building and Loan Association.

In the 1930s, as president of the Country Club of Birmingham, he was credited with salvaging its finances by throwing a series of well-attended parties, including a "Hard Times" party, and a "Gay Nineties Ball" with Governor Bibb Graves as guest of honor.

Gresham died in 1972 and is buried in Prattville's Oakhill Cemetery. Gresham Middle School (now Gresham Elementary School) in Hoover was named for Gresham.

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