BUXTON — Thomas B. Gray Sr. passed away peacefully on Sunday, Sept.20, 2015 at the age of 96. He was predeceased by his loving wife,Winnie W. Gray; four brothers, Charles Fatio Gray, Wallace R. Gray, H.Curtis Gray and Jack S. Gray; and three sisters, Janet Finnegan, IvaMcAden and Eleanor Gray; as well as grandchildren, Carole Gray andJenny Gray. He is survived by his sons, Thomas B. Gray Jr. and wife,Nancy, of Buxton and Charles L. Gray and wife, Vivian, of North FortMeyers, Fla.. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Amy Gray,Heather Jennette and husband, Leo, TC Gray and Jack Gray; andgreat-grandchildren, Travis Robbins, Graham Robbins, Owen Gray, CadenGray, Harper Jennette and another soon to arrive. He is also survivedby many cousins, nephews, nieces and their children.
Tommie enlisted in the Coast Guard during World War II. He then workedas a civilian personnel officer for the Navy from 1950 to 1970, servingat Little Creek Amphibious Base in Virginia Beach, Va., St. JuliansCreek in Portsmouth, Va., and at Oceana – Dam Neck Base in VirginiaBeach, Va. He retired in 1970.
Tommie served as the Hatteras Island representative to the Dare CountyBoard of Commissioners from 1972 to 1988. During that time he waselected president of the North Carolina Association of CountyCommissioners. He also served on numerous county and state boards,including Coastal Resources, Dare Airport Authority, NC (Wanchese)Seafood Park, Dare County Social Services, Roanoke Island Commission,and the Roanoke Island History Center Advisory Committee.
He was a member of various civic groups, including the Cape HatterasMasonic Lodge No. 698 AF&AM, Norfolk Scottish Rite and the SudanShrine. He was an active member of the Buxton United Methodist Churchand served in various roles including lay leader, boardchairman, Sunday school teacher and even as pastor onoccasions when one was not assigned to the church.
Tommie was proud of his Hatteras Island heritage. He loved to regalefolks with stories of the “old days” when there was no road and thenewspaper arrived by ferry, three days late. He was the last survivingchild of Charlie Poole Gray and Odessa Jennette, leaving the legacy ofa family who helped see many advances that helped shape HatterasIsland. He loved to take advantage of the many blessings the island hadto offer, including fishing, boating, and beach driving. He cherishedhis family and the highlights of his life included spending time withhis grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a man of strongstature and strong faith and he will be missed tremendously by the manywho loved him.
A funeral service will be held Friday, Sept. 25, at 1 p.m. atBuxton United Methodist Church. A private burial will take place at theBuxton Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church onThursday evening from 7 – 8:30 p.m. The family will receiveguests at their home in the days preceding. In lieu of flowers,donations may be made to the Buxton United Methodist Church BuildingFund, PO Box 310, Hatteras, NC 27943.
Twiford Funeral Home, Hatteras, is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at www.twifordfh.com.
