John Thomas "PeeWee" Gray Sr.

John Thomas "PeeWee" Gray Sr., passed away on September 18, 2025 at his residence after a brief illness. He was born at Watts Hospital on April 23, 1940, the son of the late Thomas Freeland Gray and Violet Grinstead Gray.

Mr. Gray retired from Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company where he worked in the Power Plant. He had previously been employed with Erwin Mills/Burlington Industries and UNC in the Physical Plant. He joined Immanuel Baptist Church at an early age. Mr. Gray attended Aycock High School in Orange County. He served seven years in the NC National Guard.

Mr. Gray is survived by his wife of 64 years, Faye Harris Gray; son, John Tomas Gray Jr. and wife, Karen of Rutherfordton, NC; brother, David Ray Gray and wife Laura of Timberlake, NC; sisters, Kaye Blake and husband, Ronnie of Durham, NC, and Mary Morris of Timberlake, NC; grandchildren, Kaileigh Gray Byrd and husband Jacob, Lauren Gray of Durham, NC; sisters-in-law, Kaye Bowman of Greensboro, NC, and Shirley Harris of Durham, NC.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 pm to 1:15 pm on Wednesday, September 24th at Clements Funeral Home in Durham. A graveside service will follow at 2:00 pm at Brier Creek Memorial Gardens.

The family wishes to extended their sincere gratitude to the staff at Duke Regional Hospital, Duke University Medical Center, Durham County EMS, and Transitions HospiceCare of their kindness, compassion and dedicated care for Mr. Gray during his illness.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to the Durham Rescue Mission at PO Box 11368, Durham, NC 27703.

The family is being assisted by Clements Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. in Durham. Online condolences may be sent to www.clementsfuneralservice.com