John Stewart Gray III

John is survived by his wife of 45 years, Pamela and sons Franklin (Meghann) and Stephen (Diana), granddaughter Kendra, grandsons Jacob, Peter and Levi; his older sister Katherine (Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange CA), brother Bryan (Dana), sister Lynn (Frank) Bird, nephew Dennis (Kristine) McKee, great nieces, Danika and Cambria, and Aunt Freida Bomgardner.

John is preceded in death by his parents John S. Gray, Jr. and Gloria, his Aunt Juanita (Steve) Maruca and his nephew Jimmy Cruz.

John’s career started when he was a Junior at Villa Park High School. His girlfriend’s father was a commercial film director. He would bring home films, and they would view them in their living room. He was struck deeply by “Robin Hood” the 1938 version with Errol Flynn and decided then and there that he wanted to be in the film business. He also found his place and high school doing props and lights for the Drama Club. He enjoyed being “behind the scenes”. He had spine surgery during his Junior year at Villa Park for his “Double S Scoliosis” and had a Harrington Rod inserted along his spinal column and was in a body cast and bedbound for close to a year.

John found “magic” at Orange Coast College (OCC) several years later working the summer program. He did not remember the play, but he did remember the crew and the fun of working backstage. While at OCC, he learned still photography and basic filmmaking. He produced and directed several short 8mm films. He also worked on a team that made a 16mm film called “A little help from my friends” and a short called “The Runner”. It was about a short distance hurdler that runs a race imagining a crowd watching, but at the end finds no one has witnessed his run.

John graduated from OCC in 1972 with an AA Degree in Still Photography and went on to SDSU. He was there for 5 semesters and received a BS in Radio/Television (Film) in December 1975. While attending, he appeared in many student films, usually ending up directing his performance and the camera setups. and even editing several of these projects. He directed several student projects “Things will happen” and his Senior Project “Diane”.

It was at San Diego State University (SDSU) that he decided to concentrate on film editing. Everyone wanted to be a “feature film director” and he understood that “someone had to edit these together!” So, he edited his films, and films of anyone who would let him.

John started working in San Diego for the four or five film companies that were in business at the time. He was offered a full-time editing position at Roger Tilton Films in 1976. He continued to freelance as an editor in San Diego, often working as an associate producer and script supervisor on the films he would end up editing.

John was the editor for “Voyage of a Yankee Tuna Clipper” (1978) a film that received four San Diego Area Emmy Awards for Producing, Camera Work, Writing and Editing. It also received at least 1 national film award.

John taught editing at SDSU and gave several lectures in 1996. His definition of “What is an Editor”:

He taught his students that when he spoke of editing, he was talking about “the craft” and not necessarily technology. He edited together images and sounds, sometimes on tape, sometimes on film or video, but it was the same act. The manipulation of images and audio into something other than what it was before.

“Editing is the process that transforms a miscellaneous collection of badly focused, poorly exposed, and horribly framed shots containing reversed screen directions, unmatched action, disappearing props, flare, and hair in the aperture, but not containing any close-ups, cut-ins, or cut-aways into a smooth, coherent, and effective visual statement of the original script…for which the director takes the credit.” {“Films in Focus” editor/director Erik C. Andersen; “The Unwritten Laws of Editing” Avid Community)

John and Pamela were married at All Saints’ Episcopal Church June 23rd, 1979 by Rev. Canon Paul G. Satrang. Our son, Franklin Stewart Gray, was born March 24th, 1982 and was baptized by Father Satrang in June 1982. Our second son, Stephen Boyed Gray, was born May 12,1985 (Mother’s Day) also Baptized by Father Satrang on June 23rd 1985. Both were Confirmed and served as Acolytes from Elementary School to High School. Stephen became a Sub-Deacon 2/29/2004.

General Dynamics called John for the position of a Film Editor and worked from 1978 – 1994 also as an Audio Recorder (Location and Studio), Audio Mixer (Film) and Camera Operator (Film and Video) and Director of Security Films, and Cruise Missile Quality Film (Suppliers). The job included directing a SAC General and interviewing employees at companies at a variety of locations around the United States. When General Dynamics closed the facility in San Diego, John (like everyone else) was “laid off” without much help. He was given 60 days’ notice to look for work. His last day at GD was a Friday, but he was hired back as a contractor the following Tuesday to pick up editing on the project he had left.

John started to freelance as an editor, again in 1995 after sixteen years in San Diego. He did several surgery videos for UCSD and Satellite Uplink Service – Spanish Language News Stories.

John was hired in 1995 – 2014 at Solar Turbines as an editor and co-editor for the “75th Anniversary of Solar”, co-executive producer of two “Safety Training Projects” dubbed into 7 additional languages and supervised an outside writer, director and production company. He co-produced and directed several STOC (Solar Turbines Owner’s Conferences) and TTS (Turbomachinery Technology Seminars) for customers already using Solar Products. He supervised the design and production of staging and lighting with an outside company and planned the order of each presentation and directed the live presentations during the conference. In addition, he co-produced and directed the Quarterly Videos including recording stories (audio and video, directed talent (both in studio and on location, and was the editor, co-editor and supervising editor of the programs.

John also worked with clients outside of Solar Turbines: American Heart Walk “Heart with Wings”., editor and associate producer; IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) Local Labor Union #122; San Diego Habitat for Humanity “How Do You Build Hope?” (Winner of a DAVEY Award); NASSCO Ship Launches (camera, editor, director (12 launches) and post-production producer (6 launches) and finally Sea Swirl Boats (camera on location in Oregon; editor and co-editor).

John worked at Grossmont College as assistant director and took production stills for “The Odyssey” in March of 2012 and a Soap Opera Director for “An Ordinary Day” in May 2013.

John worked with a team of talented people on all “The Projects” and traveled all over the world. He had to get an extension on his passport; he had been to so many locations: 27 Countries. He traveled to 41 States in the U.S.A. including Florida‘s Cape Canaveral/Kennedy Center for many of the U.S. spacecraft launched which he helped document.

John’s personal journey of service at All Saints’ Episcopal Church began when he noticed that no one was taking photographs of church events. When we started attending regularly, Jim Richmond was the church photographer. He generously shared his photographs with the church and John. But, when he passed away, the photography stopped. It took a while, but John eventually concluded that someone should take up this calling, and he did see it as a calling. It was pointed out to him that by taking photographs of the events at All Saints’, and sharing them, it was a ministry. John documented most of the events of the church when Father Tony arrived, and, with his encouragement and various members’ support the result was a website filled with photographs that have been seen, printed and downloaded around the world.

John used many photographs from Jim Richmond, and took additional photographs for a video, that produced the 100th Celebration of All Saints’ as a mission in 1997. John served on the Calling Committee to search for a new Rector - Father Tony Noble who served as Rector at All Saints’ from 2003 to 2011.

John, with our son Franklin’s assistance, arranged for the scaffolding needed to take photographs in 2013 for “The Windows of All Saints’ Church” book 1st printing June 2013 with commentary by Stephen Cox. They needed to consider the weight so as not to damage floors or scratch them.

John served on the Vestry from 2011-2013 and took their yearly photos and was the Junior Warden in 2013 during Father J.D. McQueen ‘s time as Rector.

He served as Treasurer in 2014. John delivered the “Stewardship Address” October 17, 2016. John and Pamela were both greeters for several years and John served as Sidesman while Pamela sang with the choir for many years. John was the photographer for All Saints’ Pre-School and took pictures of parades and various events throughout the year (Preschool’s New Peace Garden) and also served on the School Board Committee. Last, but not least, John helped organize and coordinated with another photographer to take pictures of members/families for the Church Directory for parishioners to use. John and I have always felt, it’s the men, women and children that we met here that makes All Saints’ special, as well as powerful spiritual leadership from the rector and the Anglican Service, that makes it a 2nd home for all of us.

John was extremely proud of our sons! He was involved with both boys endeavors in Playing Baseball: T-Ball to Senior League (Scorekeeper - John), Umpiring (Franklin), Soccer, Boy Scouts (camping, Derby Car making and racing, missile creation and launches, Monthly meetings), graduations, Senior Night at Patrick Henry High School, Marching Band (Drums, Percussion), Spring and Winter Concerts as well as many Honor Band Concerts. Franklin achieved the Eagle Scout Rank January 12, 2001; Stephen November 8, 2003. Franklin lives in San Diego with his partner, Meghann and is currently the Master Electrician at the Civic Theatre downtown since 2014. Stephen lives in Yukon, OK, is married to Diana and has 4 children; He is Director of Audio Visual - Hotels for Cory’s in Oklahoma City. They attend West Metro Community Church in Yukon where Stephen serves as an Elder and Non-Profit Administrator and a vital part of their music Worship team, playing the drums.

Of all of his accomplishments, one of the things that John was most proud of was his forty years of sobriety in a 12-step program. Over the course of his sobriety, he helped numerous men work the steps of the program and was a sponsor and mentor to many of them. He was greatly respected in the program and his advice was often sought. He will be sorely missed by the recovering community.

Jose Miguel Gallego, Vice President of the San Diego County Inter-Club Numismatic Council and President of the California State Numismatic Association, where John served as a valued Member of the Board of Directors. He wrote “I held onto the hope that John would return with the same enthusiasm and dedication he displayed when he first joined. His love for numismatics and commitment to our community were truly remarkable.” John started collecting tokens and medals from museums, churches, temples and other cultural sites around the United States and the world in the early 1980s. During many of the international trips he began collecting paper currency from many of the counties he visited. As a result of this type of collecting he joined the International Bank Note Society (IBNS) and the American Numismatics Association (ANA). John was active in the San Diego County coin and paper money community and a member of the San Diego Paper Money Club and several other clubs. He was President of oldest coin club in San Diego, the San Diego Numismatics Society (SDNS.)

John was a supporter of Community Theatre, and we attended as many plays as possible. Sean Boyd (Trinity Theatre Co. Executive Artistic Director) wrote “John was an integral part of Trinity's evolution. In 2015, Trinity produced our first show in the Tenth Avenue Arts Center: Red. The show featured a cast of two: my dad and I. My mother was the Stage Manager. My brother was in the running crew. And John was our Director.

In 2019, he directed another show for us: The Nerd. John's trust in his cast was exceptional, and his trust in me was forever valued, as I was brought in two weeks before opening. Through his leadership, The Nerd became one of my favorite shows to work on.

On top of his directing projects, John was our #1 call for photography for years! For youth, adults, special events, and just for fun, John was an avid photographer. His pictures continue to be used in our marketing collateral, and we are so grateful for his work on that! He was also a huge champion of our New Works Festival, attending every single show in the first year. He also underwrote many scholarships to allow students in financial need an opportunity to participate in theatre programs. “

A Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Saturday June 21st, 2025 at 2:00 PM at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 625 Pennsylvania Ave. in Hillcrest. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to All Saints’ Episcopal Church or Trinity Theatre Company, 1640 Camino Del Rio N, Suite 129, San Diego, CA 92108 in memory of John S. Gray III. There will be a reception in the Parish Hall following the mass.

All are welcome and there will be an opportunity to sign a guestbook, look at pictures, and have an early dinner. There will be a microphone with moderator, music and fellowship. Please RSVP to Pamela 619-417-1903 by text (or call) with # of attendees ([email protected]).

John was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and a good friend to many! We will miss him and his quick wit, his ability to tell great stories and make people laugh every day!

“I’ve learned what love’s about

By loving you

Through the years! “

From “Through the Years” song by Kenny Rogers

Thank you all for your support and love!

Pamela, Franklin and Stephen