Obituary of W. Gray

W. Preston Gray, Jr. Mr. Gray, 94, of Charlotte, NC died Sunday, May 15, 2011 at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. He was born June 16, 1916, in Lebanon, VA son of the late Walter Preston Gray, Sr. and Cleo Gilmer Gray. Preston attended public schools in Lebanon, VA and Milligan College. Mr. Gray was a US Army veteran of WWII and served in the Third Army under the command of General George S. Patton. Preston was overseas for almost four years and participated in the D-day invasion and The Battle of the Bulge. He was employed with Marsh Realty Company as a property manager until his retirement. Mr. Gray enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid sportsman enjoying hunting and fishing for many years. He also enjoyed gardening until just before his death. A long time member of Dilworth United Methodist Church, Mr. Gray was very active in many programs at the church. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a warm appreciation for his fellow man. In addition to his parents Preston was preceded in death by a daughter, Katherine Barry Gray and his sisters, Mary Gray Wallace and Ellen Gray Joy. Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Alice Quinn Gray; daughter, Elizabeth Preston Gray and son-in-law Russell H. Stepp, Jr. and several nieces and nephews. A service to celebrate his life will be held 2:00 PM Thursday, May 19, 2011, at Dilworth United Methodist Church with the Reverend Ben Devoid officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to Loaves & Fishes, Inc. PO Box 11234, Charlotte, NC 28220, Crisis Assistance Ministries, 500-A Spratt St., Charlotte NC 28206 or Dilworth United Methodist Church, 605 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203