James Lloyd Gray, Sr.

James Lloyd Gray, Sr., age 90 of Temple, died Friday, February 14, 2014 in a local hospital. Mr. Gray was born March 16, 1923 in Temple to William Leonard and Maude Butler Gray. He graduated from Temple High School and attended Temple Junior College. He graduated from Baylor University in 1952 with a Bachelor of Business in Accounting degree. He served as a Corporal in the U. S. Army Air Corps during WWII. He was awarded the American Theater Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. On August 27, 1949, he married the love of his life, Bernice Margaret Talasek, and was happily married for 64 years. He accepted a position with Pan American Oil and relocated to Fort Worth. During the ten years in Fort Worth, James and Bernice were blessed with three children. They moved back to Temple in 1963 to join a family business, Talasek and Sons Ford Tractor Dealership. He worked as the office manager for Gresham's Printing and Office Supply. Following, he was the Vice President of Fiscal Affairs at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. The Grays relocated to Austin where James worked as the Controller of Texas Safety Association, retiring in 1989. Upon retirement, James and Bernice owned and operated several businesses in Salado until 2012. James was a member of Trinity Church of Temple, where he served as an usher and elder. He was active in the Bell County Republican Party, served as a Precinct Chairman, Election Judge, and a Delegate to the State Convention. James grew up participating in both football and basketball, and loved all sports. He was a faithful and loving husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, and knew no strangers. He was a man of integrity and humility, and loved to share his faith with others. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Harold Gray, sister Mary Franks, and a grandson James L. Gray, III. Survivors include his wife Bernice M. Gray of Temple, son James L. Gray, Jr. and wife, Cynthia of Round Rock, daughter Kimberly A. Barnett and husband, Barry of Houston, and daughter Alyson D. McCall of Temple. He has four grandchildren, Matthew Gray and wife Alli of Austin, Elizabeth Gray of Round Rock, Preston Barnett of Dallas, and Austin McCall of Temple. Pallbearers are James L. Gray, Jr., Matthew Gray, Scott McCall, Austin McCall, Barry Barnett and Preston Barnett. Services will be held at 2:00 PM Wednesday, February 19, at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home with Rev. Gary Pemberton and Rev. Wilburn Burns officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Bellwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be 6:00 - 8:00 PM Tuesday at the funeral home.