Marvin Lee Gray Sr.

GRAY, Marvin Lee Sr., (Sergeant 1st Class Ret.), age 59, of Richmond, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 at the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center after a long battle with cancer. At his passing, he was surrounded by loving family and friends. He was born April 11, 1949 in Norfolk, Va., to the late Nehemiah Gray and Annie Victoria Wilson Gray. He attended Booker T. Washington High School, where he was a viable member of the varsity basketball team. At age 17, he chose to forego completing high school and volunteered to serve his country during the Vietnam Conflict. He later obtained his GED. He was a combat medic in the U.S. Army, responsible for saving the lives of many wounded soldiers. During his 20 years in the Army, he served two tours in the Vietnam War and became a highly decorated Vietnam veteran, receiving the Purple Heart and Silver Star medals for valor. He was a dedicated member of Galilee Baptist Church in Appomattox, Va. He enjoyed encouraging and being with children, and they loved "Uncle Marvin." An accomplished entrepreneur, Mr. Gray was the president and CEO of Graysmith Construction Company, LLC, a service disabled veteran-owned business in Richmond, Va. His commitment to serve was exemplified through his quality of service given to the Veterans Administration facilities and fellow disabled veterans. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Vincent, Charles and Nehemiah Jr.; and grandfather-in-law, Rev. Dr. R.Q. Lawing Sr. (Florence). Mr Gray leaves to cherish his memory his loving and devoted wife of 24 years, April Poteat-Gray; his daughter, Marlee Gray-Berry of Cleveland, Ohio; his sons, JaMarvin Durham-Gray of Bowling Green, Ky., and Marvin Gray Jr. of Victoria, Texas; mother-in-law, Jacqueline Lawing Poteat-Davis of Appomattox, Va.; sister, Marion Gray-Hancock of Norfolk, Va.; sisters-in-law, Shirley Gray of Norfolk, Va., Natalie Tinsley (Damon) of Madison Heights, Va.; brother-in-law, Calvin Poteat of Appomattox, Va.; uncles, Leon Lawing Sr., Rev. Dr. R.Q. Lawing Jr. (Fornecer), Timotheous Lawing (Frances), Duane Schrock and Herbert E. Fleshman; five grandchildren, Joel, Devonya, William, Telan and Sharnell; two special nieces, Deborah Dixon and Annette Hicks; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Mr. Gray will be greatly missed by his Graysmith Construction family, Mr. Oscar Smith, Mr. Lee Arzt, Esq., Mr. Mark Zell and Ms. Rosa Homes-Turner. A memorial service to honor Mr. Gray's life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 30, 2008 at Galilee Baptist Church, 1044 Courthouse Road, Appomattox, Va., and will be officiated by Pastor Revell Hicks and Rev. R.Q. Lawing as eulogist. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Mr. Gray's memory to the Vietnam Veterans of America: Designation "Those wounded in battle," 8605 Cameron Street, Silver Spring, Md. 20910, (301) 585-4000. Professional services entrusted to the staff of Riddick Funeral Service, 1225 Norview Ave., Norfolk, Va. 23513, (757) 855-9010.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.