CDR. Basil Franklin Gray Jr. USN (Ret)

After almost two years of living without his lifelong love, companion, friend, and wife, Basil left this world to reunite. At the age of 95 and weeks short of his birthday, God called him back to shine in Heaven and be with his true love. After 69 years of marriage, serving his country for 23 years as a naval officer, and raising a family to carry on his legacy, Basil has truly retired.

Basil was raised in Newport News, graduated from Newport News High School, was a Sigma Phi Epsilon brother at Randolph Macon, appointed to the US Naval Academy ‘54, and had a proud career as a Surface Warfare Officer in the US Navy. After retiring to Kingsmill in Williamsburg, he managed the transportation committee of the Anheuser Busch Golf Tournament as a way to satiate his passion for golf. His commitment to the efforts of the Lions Club was evident from his many years of volunteer activities and he was known to joyfully sing his favorite hymns at church. He had a great sense of humor and was always quick with a joke or to laugh at yours.

Basil was the son of B.F. (Frank) Gray Sr. and Edith Phillips Gray. He was preceded in death by two half-brothers, Gurney Blanchard and George Blanchard.

With duty assignments from coast to coast, he spent most of his Naval career on the eastern seaboard. Naval War College, MIT, Pentagon, NATO, SACLANT, and several shipboard deployments. He served during the Vietnam War and was involved in the Cuban Missile Crisis. He lived a simple life and willingly sacrificed for his family. He loved his many years at “The Cabin” in Poquoson. Crabbing, clamming, fishing, swatting mosquitoes, and he especially enjoyed sharing it with his children and grandchildren.

Left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Deborah L. Parker (Larry), Cynthia A. Gray, and sons, Basil F. Gray III (Gisele), Phillip M. Gray (Tricia). He will be greatly missed by his grandchildren, Wesley Parker (Anna), Katarina Watney (Caleb), Jakob, Harrison, and Nicole Gray. He joyfully met his great-grandson, Teddy Watney this year.

There will be a graveside service at Peninsula Memorial Park, 12750 Warwick Blvd, Newport News, VA, 1:00 pm on June 21, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital are appreciated (Stjude.org).