For some reason I just Googled to see what an old leader, scientist, friend was doing in retirement. to my sadness I found that Gray had passed in the fall of 2022.
Gray was an outstanding leader and mentor for me at the Tennessee Department of AG. I worked under him as the state plant pathologist.
Gray always gave me great support and encouragement in all my projects.
One great memory was a trip we took across Monteagle in a snowstorm to talk to a group near Chattanooga about fire ants in their straw. He convinced them of the importance of  doing everything by the book. He was very eloquent and persuasive. He set a fine example for me and others in doing tough things in a proper manner. He will be missed by many.

Gray was a wonderful husband.   We were happily married for 32 years.  We both enjoyed playing duplcate bridge together first at the bridge center in Knoxville, but during the Covid Pandemic, we played bridge online against other partners and they were all over the country and even Canada.   He loved his job as Tennessee 's Aprist, then Southern Plant Board President,, then National Plant Board President.  I was blessed to have been his wife. He was the perfect soulmate, husband and friend.

Elizabeth
   Caroline and I will greatly miss our beloved little brother Gray. He personified the phrase “Bee Happy”.  Mom and Dad will be happy to meet him again in Heaven. Woe wish him well. The world was a better place because of his warm smile and pleasantries  and personality.              
       
Louis Haun
Caroline Nowell

Elizabeth and Family,

I truly say that I "mourn with those that mourn", as Gray was such a great person in so many ways that he has left an absence in this world that cannot be replaced.  Gray was genuine, and you could expect whether friend or not, he would tell you what he thought with keen and many times humorous observation, but always ending with that laugh that would dispel even the tensest situations.  I am and will be greatly missing him and think back on those days when we went up and down Clinch Mountain in his tough Toyota 4wd truck or on foot combating that gypsy moth infestation. That was my earliest introduction to how when Gray set his mind to something, it got done. If I could use one word for my friend Walker Gray Haun it be indomitable.  The love and prayers of our family will be with you during this time of loss. 
Gregg R. Aydelotte

We are saddened to hear of Gray’s passing. He was a kind thoughtful person and although we didn’t see him  much in these last several  years, we will miss him.  

Nancy, I am so sorry for your loss.  I pray that God will be very close and caring during the coming months. 
 Martin Burks 

I am so sad to hear of Gray’s passing. Like many others, I was fortunate to meet Gray soon after I became a member of the National Plant Board.  He modeled the best attributes of a regulatory official - patience, intelligence, creativity, and most of all, kindness. Remembering Gray’s distinctive and frequent laugh makes me smile.  Gray was a exceptional mentor and a good friend. He will be greatly missed.

Members of the Cherokee Beekeepers Association send their sincere condolences to the Gray Haun family. Gray was a great supporter of the association and was admired by the members. His legacy will live on.
With deepest sympathy,
Jim Gentry

I was deeply saddened to learn of Gray’s passing.  Not only was he a mentor and friend during our many work years, we maintained an ongoing friendship during retirement.  Regardless of the regulatory agriculture issue, I could always count on him for an unbiased review and assessment.  I loved his attitude and respected him for his service to the regional and national Plant Board organization.  I will truly miss his infectious smile!

Elizabeth and Haun Family, 

I will always remember Gray for his honesty, dedication, sense of humor and respectful approach to dealing with Southern and National Plant Board issues.  I'm thankful for the opportunity I had to travel often with Gray on Plant Board business.  Gray was a tremendous public servant, dedicated to the well being of Tennessee and U.S. Agriculture.  Gray's many years on the National Plant Board are marked by significant nursery, apiary and international trade accomplishments and development of important interagency relationships.   I am proud to claim Gray as one of my best friends and colleagues.  

Gray,  You've left an honest and significant legacy of good will and public service.  Rest In Peace, my friend.

Ken Rauscher
Michigan Dept. of Agriculture - Retired



Elizabeth, 
     So sad to hear of Gray’s passing.  Gray was a great representative for Tennessee with the  Southern Plant Board then on to National Plant Board agricultural programs.  So many of us respected Gray’s ability to get ideas rolling, organize a plan and work well with all of us in hammering out solutions with win-win results.  He touched many lives and I will always remember him fondly and foremost for his friendship.  RIP my friend.  David Blackburn 

I remember when he was in charge of apiary regulation. Used to call him the "King Bee." Quick smile, quiet dignity, great friend.

Gray was a great friend and mentor. I was always amazed at how he could take controversial subjects and lead people calmly through a discussion. He was fun to be around and made me laugh. I looked forward to every meeting that we attended together. He enriched me personally and professionally.

Billy Newton

Gray was a bright light in the regulatory agriculture world.  He was a friend and mentor to many.  His contributions directed to the National Plant Board were many and diverse. Gray worked to find the common sense solutions to many issues that needed to be addressed in the domestic and international plant trades.  He will be missed. 

Gray was a great leader and inspiration to many individuals.  He helped me tremendously when I first became a member of the Plant Board.  His vision was always clear in helping us with work responsibilities.
I extend my sincere condolences to his family and his former colleagues at the TN Dept of Ag.

Liz and Family,
I am very sorry to hear of Gray's passing. I had known him since he was a Bee Inspector with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.  We spent many hours examining samples of bees for Tracheal Mites. I remember one time he slipped an old but dead Queen bee into a sample to see if would catch it. In later years, after I moved to Idaho, we work together again under some of the many facets of the National Plant Board. Gray was a very Intelligent and insightful person. I will miss him.

With Sympathy
Michael E. Cooper
Boise, Idaho

OBITUARY

Walker Gray Haun

7 December, 1946 – 26 October, 2022

Berry Highland Memorial

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