Thomas V. Gray Jr.

Thomas Virgil Gray, Jr, 94, a lifelong resident of Fort Smith, Arkansas, was born June 21,1930 to the late Thomas Virgil Gray and May Harris Gray. Tom graduated from Fort Smith High School in 1948. He received both his Bachelor’s and Master’s In Business Administration from the University of Arkansas. In 1953 he served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War until 1955 when he joined the Air Force Reserves until 1967. He worked for General Electric in Louisville, Kentucky, until returning home to Fort Smith to join his father in the family business, Automatic Laundry Service. Tom sold the business and retired in 2001.

Tom was an avid golfer and spent many hours on the greens . But in 1971 this bachelor met the love of his life at church, a widow, Rita Staton Cates. Rita brought to this union five children 16 – 9 years of age: Rob, Rodney, Rhonda, Randy, and Ronald. Their marriage of 53 years was filled with lots of love and adventures.

He was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church where he taught Adult Sunday School for 64 years. He served as a Deacon for 60 years. He enjoyed fishing with Rita and his boys. Reading was a favorite pastime in recent years.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Dorothy Edwards and Jean Peer, son, Randy Cates, and his grandson, Landon Cates.

He is survived by Rita, his wife of 53 years, his children Rob Cates (Kathy), Rodney Cates, Rhonda Cates Voydat, Ronald Cates (Candy) and Missy Gean Cates. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

Service will be Friday, November 15 at First Baptist Church in Fort Smith. Visitation at 10:00 am with memorial services at 11:00 a.m. Burial following at Woodlawn Cemetery under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. Pall bearers will be: Kelly Geigle, Phillip Geigle, Nicholas Cates, Paul Cates, Logan Cates, Jordan Travis, and Terry English.

Online condolences may be sent to: www.edwardsfuneralhome.com