Gordon I. Gray

GORDON I. GRAY - God has called another member of the Greatest Generation home to heaven. Gordon Irvin Gray, nicknames were “Mr. Gray”, “G.I.” and “Bow-Tie Man”, passed away on Monday, January 19, 2015 peacefully with his family around him. Born on May 12, 1926 to Irvin H. Gray and Maude Thompson Gray in Gramptham, Wayne County, North Carolina. Services will be 12 noon Thursday, January 22 at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 N. Germantown Road with Brother Jackie Gray officiating, Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, Fulton, MS. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. He accomplished many things during his short life. He was a wonderful and beloved husband to Ruth Matthews Gray, who preceded him in death on October 16, 2007, and a great father that made an impact to his two (2) children, Carolyn and Jan. He grew up helping his father farm and left home at a very early age for Norfolk Shipyards, VA, for his first public job. He enlisted in the United States Navy and served his country proudly. He retired from YRC Worldwide (formerly Roadway Express, Inc.) as a road driver and belonged to Teamsters Union Local #667 and was a proud union member. The teamster union has helped millions of workers achieve “The American Dream”. He earned One (1) Million Accident Free Miles as Line Haul Driver from Roadway Express, Inc. Presidential Safety Citation, in recognition of an outstanding service record, Individual Million Mile on August 5, 1971. Roadway presented to G.I. Gray, August 1958-August 1994, in appreciation and recognition of your many years of loyal service, Roadway Express, Inc. Upon retirement, he went back to living on what he named Gray’s Farm. The farm consisted of having his own horses and stabling a total of 16 horses and caring for each with passion. The unknown number of cats, dogs, pigs, goats and any stray animal that was lost or thrown away. The education he received in North Carolina and his hard work and devotion to doing an excellent job only added to for the rest of his life in the school of hard knocks and belief. As the head of family generations and of all his talents, accomplishments and qualities, however, he was proudest of his devotion to his family. He is survived by daughter, Carolyn (Carol) Gray Coker and son-in-law, Hubert H. Coker of Fulton, MS; Jan Gray Freudenberg of Bartlett, TN; grandchildren, Chris Griffin of Millington, TN, James Robinson of Memphis, TN, Blake Freudenberg of Bartlett, TN, and great-grandchild, Meredith Freudenberg. His extended family from Carol Gray Coker and Hubert H. Coker by marriage include: Larry Dale and Patricia (Trish) Digby, Garrett and Audra Dendy, Avery, Ella and Tucker Dendy, Meredith Digby, Kenneth (Kenny) and Patricia Coker, Alex and Blake Coker, Roger and Angie Johnson, Maddie, Laura Leigh and Eli Johnson, all of Fulton, MS. the extended Coker’s family that have the quality of love, respect and grace to always welcome Mr. Gray to all family events and daily life in Mississippi. His children were proud he was their father. A great friend and neighbor, Butch Kincaid, always special to Gordon and his family in time and compassion. He will be dearly missed by his family with love and many friends who knew him well. He will go to join his beloved wife, father and mother, brother, Curtis H. Gray, and sister, Ruby L. Gray. He inspired the life of this family and brought so much joy to us. Rest in peace and we will think of you often with a smile on our face and keep you in our hearts. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contribution may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 3825 Trousdale Drive Ste. 220, Nashville, TN 37220; alz.org or charity of their selection. Special Thank You to Bartlett Raleigh Internal Medicine, Herminio B. Balderama, M.D., Patricia Zaravar, F.N.R.; Methodist LeBonheur Heathcare North Hospital, Home Health, Hospice; and all Physicians involved in his healthcare. Online condolences may be expressed at www.memphisfuneralhome.net

Memphis Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens

3700 N. Germantown Road

(901) 725-0100