John W. Gray, Jr.'s Obituary
John Gray, Jr. 86 of Memphis, TN passed away August 22, 2017. He was born on December 28, 1930 in Memphis to John and Pettie Gray. He attended Pentecost Garrison school for boys; graduated high school from Christian Brothers College and graduated with a BA from Southwestern/Rhodes College in 1953, where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity and continued his membership for 50 years. John entered the United States Navy in November 1953, where he attended Officer Candidate School as an Ensign in Newport, RI and retired from the Navy in 1979 as a Captain. His father, John Gray, Sr. was the owner of John Gray’s Big Star at Madison and McLean, when John was born he changed the name to John Gray and Son Big Star, they owned and operated the store from 1929 – 1995. After retiring from the grocery store John received his Master’s in accounting from the University of Memphis and taught evening classes in accounting at State Tech Institute and worked with Crye Lyke as a realtor. John was preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 50 years, Flo Kathryn McDuff Gray. is survived by his children Johnny W. Gray, III (Susan), Kathy Gray Savini (Paul), Lisa Gray Foley (Chris); grandchildren Noah Gray, Lauren Gray Westwood, Laura Gray Holtzclaw, Paul Savini, Jr. Carolyne Rogers, John Foley, Katy Foley and eleven great grandchildren. A funeral service will be held on Friday, August 25 at 12 pm at Lindenwood Christian Church, 2400 Union Avenue, Memphis, TN 38112. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 11 am. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lindenwood Christian Church, Memphis Union Mission or MIFA. “Celebrating Life….Behind the Stone Wall.”
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