Eddie Gray Jr.

Eddie Gray, Jr. of Las Vegas, Nevada passed away January 21, 2024. Eddie was born July 11, 1943, in Greensboro, Alabama to the union of Eddie Gray, Sr. and Queen Esther Smith Gray. Upon their separation, Eddie and his mother relocated to Gary, Indiana where she met and married Namon Ashe, eventually adding four siblings to their family.

Eddie completed his formal education in Gary and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1963. After graduation, Eddie took the first bus out of Gary, and joined the United States Air Force.

While stationed at Davis Monthan AFB in Tucson, Arizona, Eddie went to a house party where his life was forever changed. In she walked, and it was love at first sight. She had class and sass, and a big personality, and Eddie was smitten. From that night on, they were a team. Eddie and Flo remained a devoted couple and raised their four children traveling the world.

Chief Master Sargent (Ret) Eddie Gray, Jr. served 30 honorable years in the United States Air Force, and retired at Nellis Air Force Base as Superintendent of Personnel, in 1993. Not one to sit idle, Eddie returned to Nellis for another 15 years in civil service, as Chief of Customer Support Section before retiring again.

In addition to his military and civil service career, Eddie served as a member of the Nevada Parole Board, as a Hearings Representative, from July 2007 through June 2011. In July 2011 he was appointed to the Nevada Board of Parole Commissioners by Governor Brian Sandoval, and served for two consecutive terms (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2019) as Parole Board Commissioner, before retiring for the third time.

While working and raising his family, Eddie pursued his education and earned an Associate of Applied Science from the Community College of the Air Force in Personnel Administration in 1992; an Associate of General Studies from the College of Southern Nevada in 1996; and a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 1996.

Eddie was preceded in death by his mother and father, two of his siblings, his eldest son Robert, and the love of his life, and wife of 57 years, his Flo Baby (Florozeen). Eddie is survived by his brother Namon Ashe, Jr. and sister, Rhonda Ashe Barber, both of Gary, Indiana. Eddie’s memory will be forever cherished by his daughter, April; and sons Alann, Zachary (Amber); five grandchildren: Nikci Kephart (Tim), Jasminn Gray (Carlin Hovsepyan), Jordann Gray, Chauncey Gray, Sophia Gray; and three great-grandchildren: Rylynn and Hayden Kephart, and Adonis Eddie Hovsepyan; brothers-in-laws: Willie B. Rand, Jr. (Chicago, IL) and Christopher Rand (Los Angeles, CA); sister-in-law, Minerva Yaba Rand (New York, NY); daughters-of-the-heart: Angelique Chalala Gray and Jolene Revens; Godson Roddrik Junior; a host of nieces and nephews and their children; and countless friends.

Eddie loved his family more than anything. His smile, wisdom and humor continue to inspire us all to do better and be better. He will be forever missed.