Gray was born in Forsyth County on August 15, 1941, to Thurmond Hershel Waddell and Nora Absher Waddell. He worked as a plant engineer for RJ Reynolds for 30 years.
He was a man who could do and fix about anything. Gray enjoyed playing guitar or pickin’ and grinnin’ as he and his friends called it, leather working, rebuilding cars and he loved NASCAR racing. Gray also had his pilot’s license and owned a plane he kept at Twin Lakes Airport. He was also a member of Piedmont Boat Club since the 1960’s. He was one of the oldest members there at High Rock Lake. Gray also had an artistic side as he was a very talented singer. He was a member of the men’s traveling chorus, The Group.
Gray and his wife, Barbara, attended Beck’s Baptist Church and were part of the church’s camping club where he enjoyed trips to the coast for fellowship and fishing. Gray also participated in the choir at Beck’s. The couple were dedicated members of Beck’s for over 25 years.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Travis Waddell, Jimmy Waddell, and Mazie Griffin. Left behind to cherish his memory are his wife of 65 years, Barbara Burchette Waddell; children, Tammy Waddell (Vic) Spencer and Darryl Gray (Heather) Waddell; grandchildren, Randall (Ashley) Shields, Matthew Waddell, Tyler Waddell, and Lindsey; great grandchildren, Reygan, Gavin, and Avery; sisters-in-law, Jan Waddell and Tommie Burchette; very dear nieces and nephews; and many other loved ones and friends.
The funeral service will be held on Friday, December 27th at 11am at Beck’s Baptist Church, 5505 Becks Church Rd, with the family receiving friends for a visitation at 10am. The burial will be at Forsyth Memorial Park following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Beck’s Baptist Church or Trellis Supportive Care.
