John was born to Beatrice and John H. Gray, Sr., in Shelton, WA. John was educated in the Shelton school system. He later completed his education at St. Martin’s College in Olympia, WA and the University of Washington in Seattle with the completion of his Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
John married his high school sweetheart, Gloria, in 1955. Upon receiving his degree, he worked for Boeing Aircraft in Seattle. In 1964 he and Gloria moved to California where he would begin a 30 year career with Shell Oil. He enjoyed a successful career with Shell that took him to the headquarters in New York, then to Houston and eventually Anacortes, Washington. As a Senior Project Manager he oversaw a multitude of projects. He was most proud of his work on the Cumene project and the widening of the Houston Ship Channel.
In California, John and Gloria would eventually start their family with the additions of Susan and David, three years apart.
While raising his young family, he also found time to be involved in his community. He was a founding member of the Ponderosa Volunteer Fire Department. To this day, that department is the gold standard by which volunteer fire departments are measured. He also enjoyed being a baseball umpire. He umpired games from the Little League level up through Pony League and High School levels. When he and Gloria moved to Anacortes, WA, John became involved with Rotary International. He founded the Fidalgo Island club and was a Charter Member. He served Rotary in a variety of capacities. He was club president several times and also served on a delegation that took him to Sydney, Australia. He continued his involvement with Rotary for more than 30 years.
Living among the Fidalgo Islands, he became interested in boating and joined the United States Power Squadron. His greatest adventure with the Power Squadron was getting to help skipper a boat up through the Straits of Juan de Fuca to Ketchikan, Alaska.
In 2000 John and Gloria moved to Colleyville. Just a few months later, his wife of 45 years unexpectedly passed away. He continued his involvement with Rotary and would also later join the local Lions Club. Rotary would eventually afford him the opportunity to meet his current spouse, Charna.
John’s hobbies outside of his community service included travel, woodworking, tinkering with his 1951 Chevy pickup truck, music and his beloved grandchildren. He attended every event possible in support of his grandchildren. From baseball, volleyball and soccer games, to dance competitions and school events. He was their number one cheerleader. He wouldn’t have had it any other way. Family was paramount to him.
Those who will carry on John’s legacy are his spouse of 17 years, Charna Logan Gray; daughter Susan Linguist, husband Lance, Melanie and Megan; son David Gray, wife Leslie, Garrett, Olivia and Gabriela.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in John’s name to the Music Ministry of Martin United Methodist Church, 2621 Bedford Road, Bedford, TX 76021.
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