John Harvey Gray
By: Terry McDaniel
Updated: December 5, 2012
John Harvey Gray, a resident of Dothan for 57 years, died Tuesday, December 4, 2012. He was 94.
Memorial services will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, December 6, 2012 at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Robert C. Oates officiating and Byrd Funeral Home on West Main Street directing. The family will receive friends following the service at the church. Graveside services will be held Saturday, December 8, 2012 at Mimosa Pines Cemetery in Sulphur, LA.
Mr. Gray was born November 24, 1918 in Springfield, MO and entered the army in 1939. He served 37 months overseas during World War II and a 13 month tour in Korea. After retirement he was a project officer for the Army Aviation Test Board at Ft. Rucker, AL until 1978. He was "checked out" and proficient in all the aircraft that the Army flew at the time of his retirement. In retirement, John enjoyed working with Georgia State Theatre in Columbus, GA and many local community theatres acting in more than 98 plays. He was active in First Presbyterian Church of Dothan and honored as Elder Emeritus.
Mr. Gray was predeceased by his parents, James Harvey and Edith Gray, and a sister, Mary Virginia Brownfield.
Survivors include his wife of 71 years, Mary K. Austin Gray; 3 children, Jon Harvey Gray (Elaine) of Sulphur, LA, Mary Patricia Phillips (Windom) of Baton Rouge, LA, and Suzanne L. Valach (Dale) of Issaquah, WA; 7 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren.
