Greg was born and raised in Fort Scott, Kansas. He attended the USD 234 school district, graduating from Fort Scott High School in 1982.
Greg enjoyed athletics during his time in school, participating in various sports such as football, basketball, and golf.

Greg then completed undergraduate coursework at Fort Scott Community College, later transferring to Pittsburg State University.
In 1987, Greg graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Pittsburg State University’s College of Liberal Arts. Greg worked locally at Lincoln National Corporation until their employee benefits division sold. During this time Greg discovered his passion for ranching and raising cattle. Fort Scott Community College afforded Greg the opportunity to return to school locally in FSCC’s nursing program while
maintaining his cattle operation.

Greg continued his nursing education through the FSCC/Pittsburg State University “bridge program,” obtaining his Bachelor of Science in Nursing. While continuing his education, Greg began his distinguished career while working as a registered nurse. Greg worked in various areas of the medical field including medical/surgical nursing, inpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing, psychiatric nursing, surgery, and postoperative care.

Greg went on to earn his Master’s of Science Degree in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner. He has worked as an Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner for the last 25 years, practicing in Fort Scott, Girard, Pittsburg, Iola, and Pleasanton. Volunteering is important to Greg, and his passion to serve is seen through his participation with sports medicine programs in Fort Scott, Uniontown, Mound City, and Pleasanton High Schools. He has also volunteered at Fort Scott Community College the last 25 years, performing sporting event coverage and directing FSCC sports clinics. Concerning volunteering, Greg stated, “My affiliation with local schools in their sports programs has been the highlight of my career.”

Greg has been married for 30 years to his Fort Scott Community College lab partner, Heather VanPatten. They have two children, Alex and Nicholas. Their daughter, Alex, recently graduated with her Master’s in Speech Language Pathology from Fontbonne University in St. Louis, Missouri. She attended Fontbonne’s satellite campus in Leawood, Kansas. Their son, Nicholas, is entering his senior year as a finance major at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. The Kings continue to call Fort Scott home.