Cyril Gray Jr.

Cyril M. Gray Jr. AVON - Cyril Midgett Gray Jr., 73, died Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010 in a Norfolk hospital. Mr. Gray was born in Dam Neck, Va., and served his country honorably for 30 years in the U.S. Army. Mr. Gray served in the Airborne and spent 24 years of his service career in Special Forces. He spent four tours of duty in Vietnam where he received the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry; in addition, Mr. Gray was awarded a Purple Heart, Silver Star and Bronze Star with Army Commendation Medal 4th Oak Cluster. Mr. Gray was also formerly employed with The Virginian- Pilot. Mr. Gray was predeceased by his parents, Cyril Midgett Gray Sr. and Grace A. Gray Gray and was survived by his wife, Evelyn Jean "Jeanie" Smith Gray. Other survivors are two daughters, Felicia G. Tom of Murrells Inlet, S.C., and Charity Marie Gray of Avon; three sons, Richard Wayne Gray of Batesville, Ark., Robert H. Gray of Florence, Ky., and Cyril M. Gray III of Hot Springs, Ark.; three sisters, Amelia Fermil of Virginia Beach, Norma Gray of Sarasota, Fla., and Connie Lineberry of Baltimore; 10 grandchildren and two great- grandchildren. A celebration of life with military honors will be in Saint John's United Methodist Church, Tuesday, Sept. 7, at 10 a.m. by the Rev. Roger Dill. Burial will be in T.P. Gray Cemetery in Avon. Memorials may be made to Saint John's United Methodist Church, Avon, NC 27915. Friends may join the family for a time of visitation at Saint John's United Methodist Church, today from 7 to 9 p.m. Twiford Funeral Homes' Island Chapel Hatteras is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.twifordfh.com.