Col. Russell Earl Gray USAF (Ret.), 88, of Charleston, died suddenly Thursday, March 14th 2002 at a local hospital.
Born in Huntington, Indiana, he was the son of the late Wilmer Claude and Goldie Fern Gray. His brother, Kenneth W. Gray, also preceded him in death.
He was a graduate of the University of the Philippines and attended graduate school in Florida.
He was a retired colonel in the United States Air Force and former member of the Army National Guard. At the beginning of WWII, Col. Gray wanted to serve his country in the newly formed Army Air Corp. At the age of 27, he was considered too old for the cadet program. He personally obtained his private pilot's license and was immediately accepted into the flight program. His devotion to his country was only exceeded by his love for his family. Col. Gray was an avid gardener, reader, and aviation enthusiast. He was a member of Ashley River Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Thelma Dean Gray of Charleston, a son and daughter-in-law, Russell Earl and Patricia H. Gray, Jr. of Atlanta; a daughter and son-in-law, Penelope "Penny" and Larry Todd of Charleston, S.C.; and a brother, Robert Gray of Sarasota, Florida; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren. Family and friends are invited to attend a family visitation at the McAlister-Smith Funeral Home Chapel, on Sunday, March 17, 2002 from 3-5:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life service will follow at 5:00 p.m.
Private interment services will be held Monday, March 18, 2002 at 1:30 p.m. in the Beaufort National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in honor of his beloved wife to The Coastal Carolina Chapter of the Alzheimer Association, P.O. Box 80459, Charleston, S.C. 29416.
Arrangements by MCALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL HOME, DOWNTOWN CHAPEL, 150 Wentworth St.
The Post and Courier March 15, 2002
Col. Russell Earl Gray USAF (Ret.), 88, of Charleston, died suddenly Thursday, March 14th 2002 at a local hospital.
Born in Huntington, Indiana, he was the son of the late Wilmer Claude and Goldie Fern Gray. His brother, Kenneth W. Gray, also preceded him in death.
He was a graduate of the University of the Philippines and attended graduate school in Florida.
He was a retired colonel in the United States Air Force and former member of the Army National Guard. At the beginning of WWII, Col. Gray wanted to serve his country in the newly formed Army Air Corp. At the age of 27, he was considered too old for the cadet program. He personally obtained his private pilot's license and was immediately accepted into the flight program. His devotion to his country was only exceeded by his love for his family. Col. Gray was an avid gardener, reader, and aviation enthusiast. He was a member of Ashley River Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Thelma Dean Gray of Charleston, a son and daughter-in-law, Russell Earl and Patricia H. Gray, Jr. of Atlanta; a daughter and son-in-law, Penelope "Penny" and Larry Todd of Charleston, S.C.; and a brother, Robert Gray of Sarasota, Florida; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren. Family and friends are invited to attend a family visitation at the McAlister-Smith Funeral Home Chapel, on Sunday, March 17, 2002 from 3-5:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life service will follow at 5:00 p.m.
Private interment services will be held Monday, March 18, 2002 at 1:30 p.m. in the Beaufort National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in honor of his beloved wife to The Coastal Carolina Chapter of the Alzheimer Association, P.O. Box 80459, Charleston, S.C. 29416.
Arrangements by MCALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL HOME, DOWNTOWN CHAPEL, 150 Wentworth St.
The Post and Courier March 15, 2002
Inscription
WORLD WAR II - KOREA, VIETNAM
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement