Harold Laverne Gray

Harold was born in Lake City, SC on August 19, 1933, the son of Clyde and Gracie Gray. He was a graduate of University of South Carolina’s School of Engineering. He served as a Naval Aviator in Europe, Africa, and Iceland. He was employed by Westinghouse Aerospace, Toledo Scale Corporation, Cincinnati Time, and retired from Acroprint Time Recorder in 1999.

He was passionate about history and loved to read. He was a devout Catholic and longtime member of Saint Raphael’s Catholic Church. He volunteered as an usher at church and spent many hours helping at the Catholic Parish Outreach. Dad was a captivating storyteller. He initially captured the hearts of our cousins by telling a story entitled “The Earlobe Monster,” at a Christmas gathering in Fort Jennings, Ohio. All the other adults were in the kitchen playing cards, but he was with a gaggle of kids telling us one of the longest, scariest, stories we had ever heard. Most of his stories were about his life growing up, his time in the military, and events from his world travels. He was an amazing man who lived an eventful life and will be terribly missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife Elizabeth M. Gray; three sons David A. Gray (Kam) of Gresham Oregon, Jonathan M. Gray (Marie) of Chicago Illinois, Andrew B. Gray (Michelle) of Ashland Virginia, and a daughter Julia Gray Rucci (Scott) of Raleigh North Carolina. He had three grandsons, three great grandsons, and one great granddaughter. His sister, Martha Gray, and brother, Sherwood Gray, currently reside in Florence, South Carolina. He is predeceased by his brothers, Foster, Hoyt, Clyde and sister, Nancy.

Due to the global pandemic, a small graveside service for immediate family members, will be held at Raleigh Memorial Park. Brown Wynne is handling the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Holy Angels Nursery 6600 Wilkinson Blvd, Belmont, NC 28012