Gray D. Morrison III

Captain Gray D. Morrison III, U.S. Navy (retired), passed away at age 71 on May 2, 2023. He departed this life surrounded by his loving family, in his home. He was preceded in death by his Mother, Jane Bland Morrison, his Father, Gray D. II. Gray is survived by his two children, Jessica Morrison and Gray IV, married to Shannon (Wygle). He is also survived by his three younger siblings Janie Morrison Jobe, Millard (Woody) and Bryant.

Gray was born and raised in Uptown, New Orleans. With a passion for academics, he attended Darlington School in Rome, GA, which was his father Gray II’s alma mater. He received his bachelors and masters in Aerospace Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology and was a member of Beta Theta Pi. He served in the Navy ROTC which began his storied career as a naval aviator and test pilot.

Post-college, Gray was stationed at Whiting Field near Pensacola, Florida, where he completed flight training on the VT-3 squadron. He graduated to jet training at the Naval Air Station Kingsville in Texas, flying the A-4 and T-2. He was assigned to fly the S-3 with the VS-30 squadron in Jacksonville, Florida. His mathematical skills stood out to his command and he was accepted to the Naval Test Pilot School at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station. He completed two aircraft carrier cruises; one on the USS Forrestal as a pilot and as an assistant navigator on the USS America.

In 1988, he accepted a test pilot position of the then top-secret B-2 Spirit (Stealth Bomber) with Northrop Grumman; moving with his family to Tehachapi, California near Edwards Air Force Base. His involvement in aviation persisted throughout his life as a member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, and as an exhibitor at the Tailhook Association Symposium.

After an exciting tenure on the B-2 project he returned home to New Orleans. He began a new career as a wealth management advisor for Northwestern Mutual where he became a trusted financial expert for fellow veterans. Gray was truly multifaceted; he was a highly motivated person who excelled at everything he did. He did, of course, do it his way, which was the best way.

You could find Gray on the NOCC golf course or at his favorite restaurants. He was friends with all of the wait staff and bartenders. He is beloved by his brothers from the Navy and Fraternity; there are countless stories of his legendary exploits. He was well known for his quick wit and dry humor.

He helped countless people with their finances, academic studies, and life in general. His unique brand of leadership was regularly unorthodox, yet effective, in capturing the minds and hearts of those he led. His example of hard work, grit, and determination will live on through the many that had the privilege of learning from him.

A memorial service will be held at the St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church at 1545 State Street in New Orleans on Friday June 2, 2023 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Tailhook Education Foundation Scholarship fund (www.tailhook.net/tef), or the Society of Experimental Test Pilots Scholarship Foundation (https://www.setp.org/foundation/scholarship-foundation/).