George Alexander Gray

George Alexander Gray
GASTONIA -- Mr. Gray, 90, died Tuesday, January 1, 2008 at his residence. He was a native of Gastonia, N.C., and was the son of the late George Alexander Gray, Sr. and Hallie Torrence Gray. He was a descendent of two of Gastonia's pioneer families, and was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church.
Memorial Service is 2:30 P.M., Today, First United Methodist Church, 190 E. Franklin Blvd., Gastonia, NC 28052, with Dr. James R. Westmoreland officiating. Visitation is 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., Today, January 03, 2008 at the family residence.
Educated at the McCallie School in Chattanooga, TN, and at Davidson College, he earned his pilot's license at age seventeen, and became a civilian instructor for World War II Air Corps pilots in Camden, S.C. Later in the Air Corps Transport Command, he flew planes to wherever they were needed around the world. He learned the cotton business in Leland, Mississippi, and worked with members of his family in the textile business. He owned the family firm of Gray Cotton Company, established by his father in 1930. In 1949, he was a guiding force in establishing the Little Theater of Gastonia, his passion for over 60 years. He acted in and directed more than fifty plays and musicals for the enjoyment of the community.
Mr. Gray, a loving husband, father, and grandfather, is survived by his wife of 52 years, Ellen Larson Gray; Children, Sally Gray Lovejoy of Paris, France, Dr. Glenn Larson Gray of Annapolis, MD, and George Alexander Gray, III of Charlotte, William Morris Gray of Gastonia, April Gray Rohrers of Satellite Beach, FL, and Mary Gray Clouse of Gastonia, niece, Nancy Kitchin White of Gastonia, grand nephew, James Tracy Ormand, III of Gastonia, and ten grandchildren.
Mr. Gray was preceded in death by his parents.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to The Little Theater of Gastonia, P.O. Box 302, Gastonia, N.C. 28053-0302, to the First United Methodist Church James Westmoreland Fund, P.O. Box 218, Gastonia, N.C. 28053-0218, or to the Robin Johnson House, George Gray Memorial Library, P.O. Box 3984, Gastonia, N.C. 28054-3984. Condolences may be sent online at www.McLeanFuneral.com
Arrangements are in the care of McLean Funeral Directors of Gastonia.