George Ward Gray, 90, of Henrico County, died on June 21, 2015.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James E. Gray and Ada G. Gray; his brothers, James E. Gray Jr. and William R. Gray.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Dianne White Gray; son, George W. Gray Jr. and his wife Mary Appich Gray; his daughter, Cynthia Gray Ellis and her husband Brian Ellis, all of Richmond, and his son, Robert G. Gray of Williamsburg, Va. He is also survived by his grandchildren, George W. Gray III, Matthew C. Gray and wife Lea Peck Gray, John L. Gray, Gordon T. Gray, Kaici Ellis Keithly and husband Chris Keithly, and Tommy Ellis. He is also survived by his sister, Sara G. Gantt, and sister-in-law, Gail Gray, and numerous nieces and nephews.
George graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1943. Upon graduation, he immediately entered into military service where he served with distinction as a member of the First Allied Airborne Army in Europe. As a member of the famed 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles he participated in the Invasion of Normandy, Market Garden, and the Battle of the Bulge. Though he rarely spoke of it, he had a deep sense of pride in his military service.
At the war’s end he received an honorable discharge and enrolled in Virginia Tech. Three years after entering the university, he graduated first in his class with a degree in Ceramic Engineering. While at Virginia Tech, he was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and numerous other honorary academic societies.
In 1950, he formed Gray Construction Company and as its president became involved in the design-build construction industry. He was responsible for developing and building the first commercial property in the Bon Air area, Bon Air Shopping Center and he was one of the first builders to begin constructing homes in the Bon Air/Stratford Hills area.
He served as President of the Huguenot Investment Co., Ward Development Company, and Gray Insurance Agency. He also served as Vice President of Gray Realty Co., and Long Oil Company in Harrisonburg, Va.
In 1980, along with his son George W. Gray Jr. and close friend Michael A. Gervasoni, he formed Gray Construction and Realty Co., Inc.
He served on the Richmond Regional Planning Commission and was Vice Chairman of the Chesterfield County Planning Commission.
George was an avid Virginia Tech football fan. He was a founding member of the Golden Hokie Club, and a member of the Virginia Tech Ut Prosim Society. In his early years he worked tirelessly trying to convince local high school football players to attend Virginia Tech.
He enjoyed playing tennis, hunting, fishing, and socializing with his many friends. However, his most pleasurable times were spent with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He also enjoyed time spent at his Rappahannock River home and later at his Virginia Beach condo.
He was a charter member of The Willow Oaks Country Club and a member of The Westwood Club, both in Richmond. He was a member of The Princess Anne Country Club in Virginia Beach. He was a member of Bon Air United Methodist Church and was a past member of its official board.
The family received friends from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, June 24, 2015, at the Parham Chapel, Woody Funeral Home, 1771 N. Parham Road, Richmond. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 25 at Bon Air United Methodist Church, 1645 Buford Road, N. Chesterfield, Va. 23235. Interment will be at Westhampton Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bon Air United Methodist Church. Condolences may be left at woodyfuneralhomeparham.com.