James David Gray

of Bremerton

Nov. 21, 1959

to June 12, 2014

Veteran

James David Gray, age 55, died unexpectedly in Bremerton, Wash., on June 12, 2014, from a massive heart attack.

He was born on November 21, 1959, in Fort Belvoir, Va. James was an army brat and lived in France and Ethiopia and other bases around the world where his father was stationed. After his father retired, the family moved to Marshall, Ark. When he graduated from high school, James entered the Navy where he served for eight years. When he left the Navy, he went to work at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Wash.

James worked as an RCT on the Backshift in Refueling for a number of years before taking the job as RADIAC Coordinator. He was well respected as a Technician who would not back down from upholding the high standards of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. There are many current and former Refuelers who can attest to his strong work ethic and attention to detail. As a RADIAC Coordinator, managing and delivering instruments for the entire Shipyard, James' skills really shone through. He worked tirelessly to support the waterfront and put his own professional and unique touches on everything he did. During his daily rounds doing instrument pick-up and deliveries, he would often stop by to chat and offer up his personal take on the latest 'shipyard gossip' and deliver the latest RADCON joke.

James liked painting and preparing military figures, tanks and warplanes and was an active member of the Seattle branch of the Military Modeling Association for the past 15 years. He won several awards. He and his wife Nancy collected thousands of books; military history and memoirs were favorites.

Survivors include his loving wife, Nancy Bender Gray; mother, Camilla A. Pratt of Batesville, Ark.; father, James Roy Gray of Marshall, Ark.; sister, Judy Blackwell of Batesville, Ark.; uncles Richard Gray (Berry) and Wayne Gray (Sue) of Marshall, Ark.; aunts Mary Evelyn Wallis of Marshall, Ark., Tereasa Perkins of Monroe, Wis. and Janice Bansley of Monroe, Wis. Also many cousins, nieces and nephews from Georgia to North Dakota. He also leaves his beloved cat, Victoria.

A memorial service will be held at noon on June 28, 2014, at Miller-Woodlawn Funeral Home, 5505 Kitsap Way, Bremerton, Washington. Family and friends are welcome to attend with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be sent to the Alzheimer's Association of Kitsap County.