Michael Gray Dougherty

Dougherty, Michael "Gray"

1998-2023

Michael "Gray" Dougherty passed away suddenly on April 13, 2023, at home in Charlotte, NC, at the age of 24.

Gray was born in Charlotte on October 19, 1998, to Michael Christian "Mike" Dougherty and Abbie Gray Dougherty. Diagnosed before his first birthday with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), Gray never let his physical challenges limit his opportunities. When doctors first shared the diagnosis of his neuromuscular disease, they predicted that he would not live past his second birthday. Never one to sit back and accept what others expected, Gray not only survived, but thrived.

Determined, diligent, and brilliant, Gray excelled academically at every level. Upon graduating from the IB program at Myers Park High School, Gray was awarded the Michael A Demayo Arrive Alive Scholarship and the Sun Cap Scholarship from Sun Cap Property Group to attend NC State University, and at the end of his freshman year, he was ranked among the first in his class despite taking some of the most challenging courses offered. Gray's curiosity compelled him to engage academically across disciplines, and he eagerly delved into many philosophy and humanities classes in addition to his computer science and engineering ones. In his four and a half years at State, Gray earned not only his Bachelor of Science Summa Cum Laude but also his Masters in Computer Science (in 2021). All the while, working with Disability Resource Office, he advocated for the supports he needed to navigate physical challenges most students never imagine, and in the process, he pioneered accessibility standards for future students.

Upon graduation, Gray worked as an Associate Software Engineer for Blind Squirrel Games. A colleague described him as "the video game guru" and noted that "to be put on his team was a real compliment." The company shared, "Gray came to us as an eager and open software engineer, and we knew from the start that he was going to be special and a valuable member of the team - he exceeded all expectations. ... Nearly 30 million people and counting have seen his work. We recognized his passion and intrigue and found a home for him in the S.W.A.T. (Squirrels Working on Advanced Technology) team. He was poised to help build technology that would drive our company forward and directly contribute to how we work on all our internal projects. All this, with a humble and thankful attitude. We'll miss him most for the person he was."

Innovative and entrepreneurial at heart, Gray also always had ideas for new independent projects percolating. He has been working independently for the past two years on designing his own video game, Star Surfer, on the Steam online platform. Similarly, while still in college, Gray founded Lemon Lime Games and created the app game Ping. More recently, he collaborated as the technical co-creator of Structured Literacy Apps, aimed at making elementary learning resources more accessible and engaging.

Whether figuring out as a toddler that he could raise and lower his eyebrows as an effective alternative to nodding his head (a simple task made difficult by SMA) or tackling a complex line of code or a new technology, Gray was an innate problem solver who loved using logic and critical reasoning to tackle whatever obstacles life dealt. Undaunted by his unavoidable physical challenges, he actively pursued mental ones. From a young age, Gray immersed himself in the worlds of Lewis Carroll, JK Rowling, and Orson Scott Card, and he continued to be an avid reader of science fiction, fantasy, and philosophy as an adult. He became a film aficionado and enjoyed working his way through classic films as well as new releases. He was also a skilled chess player (the president of the Chess Club at Myers Park during his senior year), and he shared his skills with several younger cousins whom he taught to play the game.

Despite his accomplishments, Gray was patient and modest, never eager to draw attention to himself, but he also possessed a zest for fun. Neighbors recount seeing him as a child, zipping around the neighborhood with his younger brother or other friends riding on the back of his power-chair. Grandparents remember him zooming down the sidewalk at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in a wheelchair race with Father Frank, laughing as he sped past. As he grew older, he loved going out for sushi or joining friends for a movie.

Gray's quiet nature belied his sharp mind and wry humor. He was an astute observer, and he often would sit quietly listening, taking everything in, then come out with the one line that most aptly captured the moment or elicited a break of laughter.

Above all, Gray treasured his family. Blessed to grow up in a strong home full of faith and love, Gray was incredibly close to his parents and adored his younger brother, Riley. He was most content at home with his parents and brother, with a good cup of hot tea beside him and his devoted dog, Roxy, in his lap. Gray also forged strong bonds with his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and younger cousins. One of his favorite weeks of the year was the annual Dougherty family beach week at Ocean Isle, when all twenty-five members piled into one noisy, laughing house to enjoy the beach and each other.

Gray's lifelong battle with SMA inspired the foundation of Gray's Gang, a team of family and friends dedicated to raising awareness and money for SMA research. Gray's Gang grew along with Gray, evolving from fundraising tailgates to Walk & Rolls to Casino Nights, and raising over half a million dollars in funds for Families of SMA, Andrew's Buddies, and Cure SMA in the process.

Upon graduating from NC State, Gray chose for his quotation the words of French playwright Jean-Paul Sartre, who wrote that "Freedom is what we do with what is done to us." Wrought with physical challenges, Gray chartered his own path toward freedom, living a life full of intelligence, humor, gratitude, empathy, and love.

Gray was predeceased by grandparents Albert Gray and Ann Flanagan Dougherty. He is survived by his devoted parents Michael and Abbie Dougherty and beloved brother Riley Dougherty. He is also survived by grandparents Ina Rae Gray of High Point, NC, and Michael and Marilyn Dougherty of Charlotte, NC, as well as many cherished aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Gray also leaves behind Denny Cmiel, whose friendship was a great source of joy in Gray's life. Since seventh grade, Denny has been a loyal, dedicated friend who never treated Gray like he was in a wheelchair but instead always appreciated the full person that he was. Some of Gray's happiest hours were spent with Denny, playing video games and telling jokes as kids or dreaming up their next business ventures (and still laughing together) as young adults.

Gray's family offers a special thanks to all of Gray's key caregivers throughout his life, including Carol Houston, Brenda Carmichael, and PT Amy Sturkey. They also wish to express their gratitude for the outpouring of support they have received during this difficult time from neighbors, friends, and countless others.

The family will honor Gray's memory with a celebration of his life at Sardis Presbyterian Church at 11am on Friday, April 21, 2023. A reception will follow the service in the Fellowship Hall at Sardis. The service will be live-streamed and viewable on the Sardis Presbyterian Church YouTube channel. (Search for "Sardis Presbyterian Church Charlotte NC" for the live-stream video.)

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Cure SMA(www.curesma.org/donate) (925 Busse Rd, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007), to The Ronnie Sherrill Project (www.trsp.org/donate-now) (916 E Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28204), or to NC State University's Disability Resource Office (Please make checks payable to NCSU Foundation, Inc. with

memo "Disability Resource Office Enhancement Fund" and mail to

NC State University Foundation, Campus Box 7301, Raleigh, NC 27695.)