Samuel Gray, Jr.
Samuel Gray, Jr. was born in Denton, TX to Samuel Gray Sr. and Mary Gray on February 12, 1961. He attended Denton public schools and graduated from Denton High School in 1979. After high school, he had a desire to see the world, and in 1981 he enlisted in the US Army. He was stationed in Ft. Stewart, GA, Frankfurt, Germany and Ft. Sill, OK. While in Ft. Sill, he earned an Associate’s Degree in Arts and Sciences from Cameron University. After leaving the Army in 1992, he held positions with companies such as Ericsson, Gulf Stream and SmartSource Technical Solutions, taking great pride in his work.
Another area of great pride was family. From his earliest days, he was surrounded by a strong village with both sets of grandparents Coretta and John Albert (Pete) Gray and Valmer and Tilford Berry being a constant presence in his life. He was proud of his four children, Stephen Gray (mother – Vivian Franklin) and Kanesha Gray, Samantha Gray and Teffamy Gray (mother – Catherine Gray). He enjoyed spending time his grandchildren.
On the lighter side, Sam had a passion for watching football. After being a life-long Cowboys fan, in 2020 he decided he could no longer tolerate Jerry Jones and he adopted the Baltimore Ravens as his team. He took great pleasure in teasing family members about the Cowboys’ losses. He also had a unique skill for entering and winning sweepstakes. He won trips to Orlando, Phoenix and Los Angeles, where he attended the premiere of Will Smith’s movie, Hancock.
Sam was raised with a strong foundation of faith at St. Andrew’s Church of God in Christ in Denton. One of the biggest turning points in his life happened on his birthday, February 12th, 2023. He re-dedicated his life, proclaimed Christ as his savior and became a proud member of Concord Baptist Church in Dallas, TX. He was baptized on November 5th, 2023. He loved to proclaim how blessed he was and thankful for the Lord ‘s love and grace in his life.
In 2014, he was diagnosed with kidney failure. He managed his condition with strength and determination, and he continued to live an active life of travel, work and other recreational activities. On November 8th, 2024, God set him free from his pain and suffering and he transitioned to be with the Lord. He is now completely whole and healed and reunited with beloved family members. He was preceded in death by his father, Samuel Gray, Sr; his paternal grandparents, John Albert (Pete) Gray and Coretta Gray; his maternal grandparents, Valmer Berry and Tilford Berry; and his uncle Clifford Berry.
He will be lovingly remembered by his mother, Mary Rogers; his children: Stephen Gray, Kanesha Gray, Samantha Gray and Teffamy Gray; his siblings: John Gray, Candace Gray, Brian Gray, Ashford Rogers, Crystal Gray, Toya Gray and Sinetta Gray; his stepsister, Tomeka Taylor; his aunts: Eletta Graves and Cynthia Berry-Ekwuazi; seven grandchildren and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.