Gaither C. Bray, Col., U.S. Army, Retired

The family of Gaither C. Bray, Col., U.S. Army, Ret., age 91, of Windsor Locks, Ct., and formerly of Fort Worth, was saddened by his passing on October 10, 2020, at St. Francis Hospital, Hartford, Ct., after a short stay, but after having received cardiac and associated care there and elsewhere over several years.

He was born in Purcell, Oklahoma, on January 26, 1929, to the late Walter Gaither Bray and the late Huldah Young Bray. He was married to the love of his life, Karen O’Connor Bray, with whom he shared 24 years of marriage, during which they enjoyed several years of motor home travel throughout the United States, especially the Southwest. Always fascinated by the inspirations of his pioneer forebears, some of whom were born in Indian Territory, some cattle ranchers, and some participants in the 1889 “Land Run,” he spent several years researching and documenting family genealogy, immigration, and subsequent migration into the Midwest and south before, during, and after the Civil War. He was intrigued by the unknowable details of his great-grandfather’s Civil War experience, from which he was never to return.

Many who knew his roots have called him a cowboy at heart, but all who have known Gaither have had the benefit of knowing a man with a kind, generous, and selfless nature, self-deprecating and possessing an instinct to identify need and take care of it, especially when such help was not solicited. A patriot and lover of the U.S. Constitution, in his traveling days he carried a supply of the pocket-sized format, handing them out and encouraging the recipient to get to know and love it. In later years he has garnered a following, sitting in front of his home watering his spot of grass, and engaging in conversations with passersby, always asking the young people what their plans were. Being ever so proud to have served his country for so long in so many different roles, he never missed the chance to promote the opportunities offered by the U.S. military services. During this time of his recent passing, a small flag waves in this spot by the busy road, where many of those who often tooted and waved might well mark his absence.

In addition to his parents, Col. Bray was predeceased by three sisters, Gwendolyn Day; Delsenia Standley; and a toddler, Mooneyene Bray, who died at four years old, just before he was born, and a great-grandson, Ezra Hinojosa, who died at birth. Survivors include his wife, Karen Bray; three adult children from an earlier marriage to the late Betty Bray -- James Bray of Williamsburg, Virginia; Vicky Bray of Fort Worth; and Michael Bray and his wife Teresa of Fair Oaks Ranch; five grandchildren – Tara Wade (Brian); Megan Hinojosa (Anastacio); Matthew Bray (Michelle); Rhoni Perez (Jess); and Amberly Bray; and fourteen great-grandchildren. He also leaves two brothers-in-law, Peter O’Connor of Suffield, Ct. and Kenneth O’Connor (Tricia) of Somers, Ct.; a sister-in-law, Kathy O’Connor Tersavich (Howard), of Windsor Locks, Ct,; and several nieces and nephews.

Col. Bray’s military career spanned 35 years of service in command, aviation, and logistical management positions. Just missing the opportunity to serve in World War II, Col. Bray first joined the Naval Reserves for 3 years, then the U.S, Army in 1950, which began 32 years of devoted service, culminating in his retirement position as Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Logistics Center, Fort Lee, Virginia, in 1982. Some of his earlier assignments included Director of Logistics, Fort Rucker, Alabama; Chief, Aircraft Procurement and Acquisition, Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Chief, Transportation Support, DA Transportation Department, Deputy Chief of Logistics, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.; Executive Officer, J4, MACV Headquarters, Vietnam; Commander, 1st Depot Battalion, Corpus Christi, Texas, and Vietnam; Chief, Rotary Wing Division, Fort Eustis, Virginia; Company Commander, 612 Direct Support/General Support Aircraft Maintenance Company, Augsburg, Germany; Company Commander, 630th Engineer Equipment Company, 19th Engineer Group, Korea.

Following his retirement from military service, Col. Bray held marketing, management, and executive positions related to Department of Defense contracts and commercial services. His corporate employment included Northrop Worldwide Aircraft Services, DynCorp Support Services, and Pacific Architects and Engineers, from which he retired in 2001 as Vice President of Marketing.

Col. Bray earned his B.S. degree from the University of Omaha; M.A. from Shippensburg State College; and advanced military education at the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania; U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; and the U.S. Army Flight School, Fort Rucker, Alabama. He was a member of the American Legion and several professional military organizations.

Porter Loring Mortuary North is handling services, which will include private burial on Tuesday, October 27, 2020, at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, with military honors. The family will receive visitors on Monday, October 26 at Porter Loring Mortuary North, 2102 North Loop 1604 East @ Gold Canyon Drive, from 4:00 p.m. through 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on October 27 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Atonement Catholic Church.

Memorial offerings in Col. Bray’s name would be welcomed to be sent to the Little Sisters of the Poor, Saint Joseph’s Residence, Enfield, Ct. https://littlesistersofthepoorconnecticut.weshareonline.org/