John Alexander Gray, Jr., formerly of Charlotte Court House, was called to Heaven on March 27, 2020, after a 15 year long battle with COPD. He is survived by his wife of 48 years and three days, Jacqueline "Jackie" Dunkley Cure Gray; four children, Bill Gray, John Edward Cure (Donna), James "JR" Cure (Janice), Janette Coffey; three grandchildren, Justin Ellis Cure (Louise), Holly Michell Lester (Brandon), Aaron Hartness (Alyssa); and one great grandson, Brandon-Wayne Alexander Lester.
John is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews, including one special nephew, John "JC" Ortega and his wife, Trace, who brought food, as well as called to check on John almost daily. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Alexander Gray, Sr. and Mary Virginia Taylor Gray; sisters, Mary Gray Walls, Alice Gray groves Adams, and Myrtle Gray Ortega. John lost his first wife (Bill's mother), Margaret Marie Isemann in 1971.
John's favorite pastime was talking to friends around the world on his amateur radio (HAM). His call sign was KI4BJS. Besides talking around the world, he had special friends in the United States including a cousin, Alvin Proffitt - W4AGP, in Farmville, and a special friend, Larry Young - K4LXV, in Raleigh, NC. There were also many radio operators in the Lynchburg and Norfolk areas that he loved to talk to daily.
John's working life included working as a parking lot attendant, delivery driver for Sealtest Milk Company, and insurance sales for Mutual of Omaha for 20 years. After retiring, he worked for a courier company delivering things such as a small screw to Roanoke.
John really enjoyed traveling! He traveled to 49 of the 50 states, but would not go to Alaska because "I don't like boats because I get seasick in the bathroom." He was always saying and doing things to make people laugh. John visited the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada, and Europe. In the 1970's, he and Jackie participated in an exchange program and made lifetime friends with Vincenzo "Enzo" Gibaldi and his wife, Marta, in Genoa, Italy. John had the honor of Enzo taking him to explore many of the sightseeing places in France and Italy.
John's military service was in the Army National Guard. He served as a Sergeant in the military for eight years, including the Reserves. While on his HAM radio, he ran into a buddy, Nelson Gray - K3ABX, who lives in Delaware. They were in the same platoon in the 1950's and had a great time catching up with each other. They both had a son named Bill.
The service will be conducted by the Salvation Army at Nelsen Funeral Home, 4650 S. Laburnum Ave., Richmond, Va. 23231 on Saturday, July 18, at 2 p.m. with a visitation one hour prior to the service . Memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army.
