Florentina Camacho Gray and Mark Gray

Florentina (Flo) Camacho Gray, age 95, of Tallahassee, Florida, passed away peacefully at home on January 15, 2025. She was born on July 7, 1929, to Crisanto Camacho and Lourdes Zabala Camacho, Manila, Philippines.

She was raised in a loving family along with her brother and sister in the Philippines. Life was idyllic for her family until the Japanese invasion of the Philippines in 1941–1945. During those years her family’s loss was nearly insurmountable. However, with their Christian faith and strong will, Flo along with her mother and siblings fortunately survived horrific conditions during the occupation, when the Philippines was liberated by Allied forces of the United States. They were blessed and grateful to rebuild their lives.

Flo was proud and grateful to the U.S. Forces that she sought employment with the United States Air Force as a civil servant for 11 continuous years with the Comptroller’s Office. During that time, she met the love of her life, John Gray, who was serving his country with the United States Air Force, and was stationed at Clark Air Force Base. They fell hopelessly in love and eventually married on June 25, 1956, in the Philippines. Her husband brought his bride back to his hometown of Tallahassee, Florida, where they settled and raised two children, Mark and Lisa. One of Flo’s proudest moments was having her husband and children beside her when she went through the legal process and took an oath of allegiance to the United States and became a United States Citizen. During their marriage she worked along with her husband to raise a family, and contribute to the country that meant so much to both of them. She was first employed with independent insurance companies in Tallahassee, and for a period worked for Florida State University. Later, she began her 20-year career with the State of Florida. She worked for the Florida Fresh Water Game and Fish Commission and later retired from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. After retirement, she enjoyed traveling with her husband to various States and landmarks, visiting old friends along the way. Her pride and joy were her family. Her love for them was unconditional. Her devotion was to her Christian faith and church. She was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church.

One of her passions was cooking. She was happiest when she was in the kitchen and had family and friends over to the house and put out a spread. Takeout boxes was always on hand. She lived for the holidays to have loved ones visit. She was an excellent cook who catered to her husband’s southern dishes as well as traditional Filipino cuisine. She collected cookbooks and enjoyed the challenge to replicate the dishes. Her other extracurricular activity was shopping. She was known to shut down many stores in the evening.

Flo grew to love her life in Tallahassee. She felt blessed to not only be lovingly accepted by her husband’s wonderful family, who was a great support to her, and was always there to help her navigate American culture. At times she naturally missed her family and friends of her homeland. Fortunately, she met another native Filipino, who also settled in Tallahassee, named Marina. She became like a sister to her. Later, the Filipino community grew and she was surrounded with amazing lifelong friends who rallied around her and the entire family. The Filipino community became her other family support and tether to home. Many other people who came into her life became devoted friends/family forever. Anyone who knew her realized that they were dealing with a woman who loved hard, or either fought harder. She was a firecracker that could be tough as nails. Resilient to say the least. She was mostly remembered for her compassion and for being a loving wife, amazing and devoted mother, daughter, sister, cousin, sister-in-law, aunt, godmother and friend.

Special appreciation of love goes out to her husband’s relatives, the Billingsley family, the Filipino community, her “other daughter” Donna Lyons and husband John, Ryan Phelps, John Phelps, devoted friend Anita Lee, Christina and Bryan Cronin and daughters, Pat Siplin, Linda Hodges, caregiver Teresa, Lester Jones, Gail Mathers, Dot Hadley and the team, a loving niece Susan Thomas, and especially Randall Smith “Randy”, who was a godsend and source of strength and support throughout the years, and until her passing. Thank you all for genuinely loving my mother so much. Your devotion touched her life and our family more than you’ll ever know.

She was preceded in death by her father Crisanto Camacho, mother Lourdes Zabala Camacho, her brother Alejandro Camacho, sister Angelina Camacho, husband John David Gray, and her son Mark Stephen Gray.

She is survived by her daughter/caregiver Lisa Gray of Tallahassee, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, please cook a delicious meal, gather together, love one another and be grateful for a blessed life.

Mark Stephen Gray, age 65, of Washington DC., passed away unexpectedly on April 10, 2023. He was born on January 5, 1958, to John and Florentina Gray, Tallahassee, Florida.

During his early years, he grew up in a loving home with two exceptional parents and a younger sister Lisa. While in his hometown, he attended Blessed Sacrament Catholic School, Godby High School, Florida High School, Florida State University, and Gallaudet University (School for Deaf Studies), in Washington, DC.

In his early 20’s, he made the decision to move to Los Angeles, California, to pursue acting and a production career. He found employment with various production studios. He also lived in Australia and New York before returning to Tallahassee, Florida to work in hotel and retail management. He was also employed by Globe Aviation Security and Northwest Airlines.

He later decided to relocate to Washington, DC. There, he spent the majority of his life. His employment with Loews Hotel, Freer and Sacker Galleries and The Smithsonian brought him great joy and happiness in working with people. His certified skill set and love of signing and interpreting within the deaf community and with various job sites was his passion. He loved people and would go out of his way to help friends and even strangers in need. In his later years, he was a volunteer at St. Albans Church and worked with the homeless. He had a compassionate heart for the under privileged and animals, especially, service dogs. He was a big proponent for pet adoption. His three service dogs Amber, Cassie and Winston helped to aide Mark throughout his life.

Mark had an affinity for the people, the culture and historical significance of Washington, DC. He was involved with many causes. Mainly, his bond with his closest friends over the many years is what filled his heart with contentment and comradery.

As a son, he loved his parents and came back home from time-to-time. He was the best brother a sister could wish for during our youth, and was loving and supportive, especially during a difficult hurdle in my life.

He was preceded in death by his father John Gray, grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins.

He is survived by a sister Lisa Gray, and at the time of his death, his mother, Florentina Gray.