Retired U. S. Navy Master Chief Gerald P. Gray, 75, died April 27, 2009, at his home, with his family by his side.
Master Chief Gray was born July 26, 1933, in Brady, Texas, and was the son of the late Edward C. and Mamie M. Gray. After graduation from high school in Ash Flat, Ark., he joined the U. S. Navy and had a 30-year distinguished career. His service included tours of duty aboard the USS Adirondack (AGC-15), the USS Robinson (DD-562), the USS Tarawa (CVS-40), the USS Enterprise (CVN-65), the USS Howard W. Gilmore (AS-16) and the USS Truckee (AO-157).
He was selected as the first Command Master Chief of the Service Force Atlantic Fleet and later was selected as the Second Command Master Chief of the Atlantic Fleet, a position he served in for four years.
After his retirement from the Navy, he went to Old Dominion University, where he was awarded a master’s degree in education. He taught school in the Chesapeake School System for 10 years before he retired.
Master Chief Gray and his wife Bev enjoyed 13 wonderful years traveling around the country in their RV. They loved their adventures of travel in these United States and foreign countries. In addition to his love of travel, Jerry was an avid gardener and master craftsman.
He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, a beacon of his faith, beloved by his family, friends, neighbors and church community and a friend to all he met. His outgoing personality will be missed by his family and the many friends he made throughout his life.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Albert, and his first wife and mother of his children, Terry B. Tarant, whom he married in Washington, D.C., in 1957.
He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Beverly, whom he met in the Atlanta Airport in July of 1979 and then married on Feb. 2, 1980; children, Edward C. Gray (Jodi), Karen Saunders (Gray), Richard (Marsha) Gray, Kitty Weiberg and Theodore Weiberg (Pat); sisters, Irene Meints (Gray) and Patricia Brickman (Gray); wonderful grandchildren, Sidney Gray, Justin Gray, Jennifer Weiberg and Zack Weiberg; and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral will be conducted Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church by Father Piotr Bialkowski, followed by interment in Albert G. Horton, Jr., Memorial Veterans Cemetery. The family will receive friends in the R. W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home & Crematory, 509 W. Washington St., on Thursday from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to Heartland Home Health Care and Hospice or a charity of one’s choice. Condolences may be registered at www.rwbakerfh.com.