Obituary of Paul Gray

Biography Colfax-Paul Edward "POP" Gray, 79, passed away peacefully, as he was surrounded by his family, at his home November 4, 2011. He had courageously fought Parkinson's Disease for the past five years. A Celebration of his life will be held 2:00PM Sunday November 6, 2011 at Shady Grove Wesleyan Church with his son Rev. Edward Gray, Pastor Sam White, and Pastor Phil Kirkman officiating. Interment will follow with Military Honors in the church cemetery. A native of Colfax, he was the son of the late Orpha Dillon and William Flay "Bud" Gray. He graduated from the original Colfax High School in 1950. He later graduated from Guilford College Class of 1954. He served his Country during the Korean Conflict with the US Navy. He worked with the old "Esso", now Exxon Corporation, in Greensboro. He later retired from the Social Security Administration. A true "man of God" he was a longtime member of Shady Grove Wesleyan Church, and served in almost every leadership capacity of the church. He was a loyal and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend to anyone who knew him. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, and baseball, particularly the activities that involved his family. In addition to his parents, he also was preceded in death by his sisters Blanche Peele, Ruby Farrington, and Margie Bentley, brothers William "Bill", Robert, Boyd, Francis "Sam", and Russell Gray. Survivors include his loving wife of 53 years Carrie Arnold Gray of the home; sons Edward "Eddie" Gray and Susan of Kings Mountain, Steven "Steve" Gray and Mary of Colfax, and Robert Gray and Ginger of Greensboro; grandchildren Matthew Gray, Laura Gray, Sarah Gray, Kristen Gray, Rachel Gray, Brooks Gray, and Landry Gray; and numerous nieces and nephews, and extended family members. The family will visit with friends from 5:00PM until 8PM Saturday evening at the Pierce-Jefferson Funeral Home in Kernersville and other times at the home. Friends and family, may sign and view the guestbook at www.Pierce-JeffersonFuneralService.com Memorials may be directed to Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, Attn: Development/Research, P. O. Box 91003, Durham, NC, 27708, or to Shady Grove Wesleyan Church Building Fund, or Hospice of the Piedmont. Service Information