Marvin Gray Sr.

Marvin Lee Gray Sr. RICHMOND - Retired Sgt. 1st Class Marvin Lee Gray Sr., 59, entered into eternal rest Aug. 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, 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 forgo 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 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 the children and they loved "Uncle Marvin." An accomplished entrepreneur, Mr. Gray was the president and CEO of Graysmith Construction Co., LLC, a service disabled-veteran-owned business, in Richmond. 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, the 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; daughter, Marlee Gray-Berry of Cleveland, Ohio; sons, JaMarvin Durham-Gray of Bowling Green, Ky., and Marvin Gray Jr. of Victoria, Texas; mother-in-law, Jacqueline Lawing Poteat-Davis of Appomattox; sister, Marion Gray-Hancock of Norfolk; sisters-in-law, Shirley Gray of Norfolk, Natalie Tinsley (Damon) of Madison Heights, Va.; brother-in-law, Calvin Poteat of Appomattox; uncles, Leon Lawing Sr., the 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 Holmes-Turner. A memorial service to honor Mr. Gray's life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in Galilee Baptist Church, 1044 Courthouse Road, Appomattox, and will be officiated by Pastor Revell Hicks and the 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 St., 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.