Patty and family,

Words will never capture the love we have for John and Patty.  John and Jeff spent many hours together as colleagues and friends. We were together sorting genealogy after the flood, sharing laughter and tears over the years with all that ministry and life brought us thus far and looking ahead to the future. 

John leaves behind a legacy in all of you and those of us who are privileged to be part of your extended family.

With tears and much love,

Jeff + Valli Ridenour, Bloomdale, Ohio

Patty We are so sorry to hear of John's passing we just found out about it. We would of been their but Debs mother passed away on Friday. Our prayers are with you. 
Don & Deb Swogger 
Grove City Food Pantry and Emergency Service

Remember John from those days at METHESCO and ordination the same year.  Two older adults doing the work of the Lord. Happy memories to all who knew him.  Peace and Blessings.  Rev. Helen Kline Retired

Patty, we are sorry to hear of John's passing. We have many warm memories from your time in Greenfield at First UMC. John helped to energize the Concerned Veterans group in Greenfield, and is fondly remembered for his ministry at the church. We were especially touched in October 2000 when my father, William L. Coffey, passed away. John was a real comfort to us during that time, and he had a great gift for comforting those who were ill or dealing with loss. 
He was good with our sons also. Colin and Wade thought a lot of John, and we remember the time in church when he announced with some certainty that someone in the congregation was being called into the ministry. Dianna thought it might be our eldest son, but that hasn't happened -- at least not yet. However, our youngest son Wade did go into ministry and in the near future is to be ordained through the Vineyard Church. At the time John made his comments, we didn't expect that Wade would be involved in ministry -- but the Lord is full of surprises. Thinking of John and his ministry caused us to remember that story, and we pray that Wade's ministry -- like John's -- will bear much fruit.
We lift you and your family up in this time of loss and ask that Holy Spirit will comfort you all and cause you to share many good memories of your loved one.
Ron and Dianna Coffey
Thelma Coffey

Patty, 

I think you know what a blessing it was for John and I to have a few visits and lots of email exchanges over the past 10+ years as we continued to research our David Beers family connections. I was so pleased to have that connection with John, and I benefited greatly from his experience and encouragement. He sent me some of the letters he had received decades earlier from Edna Grove Burgoon, my great-aunt; their correspondence has lots of nuggets of family info that I still haven't had time to explore! I know he has had many other facets to his long, dedicated, and productive life, but his influence on/in the Franklin County genealogical community is one that will be felt for a mighty long time. 

Blessings on you and your family as you grieve your loss of a big-hearted man who took seriously the idea of passing God's love along. You know his spirit will be with you as you adjust (though never completely) to this loss. We send you all our sincere condolences. 

May God grant you and your family the strength and courage you need in the months to come.

Marty and Dave Cottrill
Dayton, OH

Fireside Basket - Exotic was purchased for the family of John Robert Gray .

Glenna, Brittany & Brandon, Jessica & Memaw purchased the Angel Arrangement for the family of John Robert Gray .

What a beautiful and heart warming video. Such wonderful memories for you to have. May they help you through the days ahead. He is forever in your hearts. 

God bless. 

My thoughts and prayers are with you. 

Glenna Mathis
Burns, TN

My thoughts and prayers are with Patty and family at this time of loss. John was such a wonderful person who will be missed by all who knew and appreciated his good works while on this earth.  Immediately after John and Patty came to pastor at our Greenfield United Methodist Church, I asked if he would speak at my father's funeral service, and though he was new with our church and had never met my father, he spoke such words of comfort and love-words of healing for my family. Years later, he conducted my husband's service as well and provided the same loving support during my family's time of loss.I will always remember John as a devoted, principled leader, and a kind, soft-spoken gentleman who was a true example of Christian love. My family and I send our deepest sympathy -   Carol Hixson

God Bless/RIP, to ALL who served. Thank YOU for your service in Vietnam,T/Sgt.Gray... And  Semper Fi.

Rev Gray was my pastor in Mt Victory, always a big gentle soul.  Pat to you and your family I send my sincere  condolences.    Blessings ! Toni Martino Pfister

Thank you for allowing me to assist your family with arrangements today. You have my deepest condolences. Diane Wright

OBITUARY

John Robert Gray

June 14, 1938 – September 22, 2015

Schoedinger Midtown

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services