Alton “Cooter” Martin Gray, 86, a resident of Beaumont, New York City, and Houston, passed away on Tuesday, August 14, 2018. Alton was born June 30, 1932 in Beaumont, Texas to Kit Gray Sr. and Mittie Martin Gray who preceded him in death.
Cooter was an accredited member of Mensa Society. He enjoyed tracing all facets of his family’s genealogy. He also loved to read and computers became a pastime of his during his later years. Another important hobby of his was listening to his extensive collection of old country and western music. He proudly served his country in the Navy during the Korean Conflict before it ended.
Cooter was a retired chemical engineer from Texaco Refinery, but was not happy sitting at home, so he traveled all over the world and even to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates where he consulted on Oil and Gas work. After his final retirement, he returned and enjoyed being at family gatherings at their various beach homes. He enjoyed the years living with his brother and sister-in-law in the apartment that was built for him.
Cooter was preceded in death by his sisters, Shirley Gray, Hazel Gray Ingram, and Mary Alice Gray Taylor; brothers Kit Gray Jr., Jimmy Gray, and Jack Gray.
Left to share memories of Cooter are his nieces and nephews; Jenny Bloss, Bill Taylor, Doug Taylor, Kit Taylor, Linda Patranella, Kathy Perrio, Slade Ingram, Elaine Gray Frasure, Shirley Haney, Judi White, Pam Colburn, Pat Claiborne, Phyllis Bjerke, Sam Gray their spouses, and a host of great nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
A Gathering to Share Memories of Cooter will be held at Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, August 18, 2018 from 1:00p.m.until the Celebration of Life Funeral Service beginning at 2:00 p.m. with burial to follow at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
