Obituary of John Gray

GRAY, John E., Jr. Mr. John E. Gray, Jr., 88, of Ocala, died Thursday, January 29, 2009, at Ocala Regional Medical Center. Born in Limestone, Tennessee, Mr. Gray moved to the Ocala area in 1936. He proudly served his country during WWII with the US Army. He was co owner-operator of Gray Brothers Insurance with his brother Rusty. Mr. Gray was known throughout the community for his singing, in the church choir, in barber shop quartets, and at many different functions. He belonged to the Kiwanis Club of Ocala for many years, and was also an active member of First Christian Church of Ocala. He will always be remembered by his family as a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his daughters Jeanie Mitchell of Cullowhee, N.C., Deborah Klein of Hickory, N.C., Nancy Dorrell of Blacksburg, Va., Ellen Garber of Valdese, N.C., his son Larry Gray of Ocala, sisters Irene Catalano of Ocala and Ruth Chapin of Statesville, N.C., 23 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Thelma in 2001. Funeral services will be held at 2 PM Sunday, February 1, 2009, at First Christian Church, 1908 SE Ft. King St., Ocala, with Dr. Douglas V. Moore officiating. Entombment will follow in the Highland Memorial Park Mausoleum. Visitation will be Saturday from 5-7 PM at Hiers Funeral Home, 910 SE Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lillian Gray Library at First Christian Church.