John Ray Gray

John Ray Gray, 80, of West Columbia, South Carolina, departed this world on Sunday, February 8, 2026. While unexpected, he passed away in the company of his wife and friends and was blessed to make his transition quickly and without pain. He was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina on February 18, 1945 to Paul Allen Gray and Ella Victoria Gray (née Brockman).

The second of three brothers, John grew up and reached adulthood in the time defined by the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement and music it inspired, the shadow of the Cold War and the change of the millennium. It was a time where James Bond and cowboys ruled the world together and astronauts moved from cartoons and science fiction to reality. He graduated in 1964 from Spartanburg High School, where he met his best friend and love of his life, Joy (Juanita Joyce Kneece). He enrolled at the University of South Carolina and was drafted into the United States Army in 1966 during the height of the Vietnam War, at a time when he was 6 feet 2 inches tall, had a 28 inch waist, and weighed 145 pounds. Following basic training, he was stationed at Fort Myer in Virginia, where his skill with horses and physical build led him to serve in the Caisson Platoon of the Old Guard. Among other things, he participated in the ceremonial honors at Arlington National Cemetery for President Dwight D. Eisenhower. After receiving an honorable discharge in 1969, he returned to the University of South Carolina and completed his studies, earning a bachelor’s degree in business. He spent most of his working years in sales, as he loved connecting with others on a personal level and hated being in an office all day. John was an avid reader and a talented guitarist who loved 60s folk, classic country, bluegrass and Austin City Limits.

He was always ready with a joke or a laugh, and professed that every person should know how to swim, shoot a gun, bait a fishing hook and operate a stick shift car. He was a diehard Gamecock fan, sticking with them through thick and thin. When his daughter was a senior in high school, she mentioned at the dinner table one night that she was thinking of applying to “that other” university in the upstate. His response was to get up from the table, put his head inside a cabinet, and slam the cabinet door against his head several times (she went to USC). For years John and Joy spent fall weekends tailgating with friends and fellow fans outside Williams Brice stadium for every home game until they transitioned their tailgates to the house as big screen TVs and restroom lines became important considerations.

John’s most important priority was always his family and friends, to whom he was fiercely loyal and a steadfast champion. He spent many happy hours with his golfing buddies at Lexington Country Club, including his best friend Tom Page, who preceded John in passing 10 years to the day on February 8, 2016. He also cared deeply about those less fortunate than he, always reminding us how lucky we were to live in the United States of America and to have each other. He was a huge believer that family could fight each other, but no one else could fight his family without him acting in defense and the stories of him doing so are myriad and often shared.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years (Joy); his daughter Seann Tzouvelekas, son-in-law James and their daughter Sophia; his son Joshua, daughter-in-law Danielle and their children Sofia St. Marie (Emma), Adrian St. Marie (Alana) and Andre St. Marie; brother Alan, sister-in-law Becky and their children Letitia Uyak (Jeff and their sons Benjamin, Thomas and Paul); Ryan (Kendra and their daughter Sadie); and Lee Healy (Daniel and their daughters Anna and Ella); and sister-in-law Rosemary.

He was predeceased by his parents Paul and Victoria; parents-in-law James Jackson and Bright Etters Kneece; brother Richard; and sister-in-law Harriette Montgomery.

A memorial celebration of John’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church in West Columbia, with a visitation held immediately beforehand beginning at 9:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church, 1000 B Avenue, West Columbia, South Carolina, 29169.

May his memory be eternal.