Gray Thomas Boyette M.D.

1935 - 2024

Gray Thomas Boyette, M.D.

September 23, 1935 - September 29, 2024

Winston-Salem, North Carolina - Gray Thomas Boyette, M.D. died peacefully on Sunday, September 29, following a period of declining health.

Gray was born to Louise Davis Boyette and Edgar Thomas Boyette at Mary Elizabeth Hospital in Raleigh on September 23, 1935. Named for his grandfather, he spent his childhood in Wendell, NC, where his father was principal of Wendell School and his mother taught Latin and English. He loved to visit his cousins in Johnston County and Staunton, Virginia, and maintained those relationships throughout his life.

Gray always said that he had the best childhood experience imaginable: growing up in a small North Carolina town with love, learning, and self-discipline imbued by his parents and the many dear friends he made there. He entered Wake Forest College-his dad's alma mater-in 1952 and continued his constant and true love affair with Wake Forest until his death; and surely even today, he's cheering on his Demon Deacons.

From his parents, he received a love of learning that enriched his life. His parents also instilled his love of travel and his passion for social justice. He was committed to electing enlightened political leaders, and he supported their causes-the causes of true democracy-all of his life.

He and Sandra had a happy 34-year marriage and enjoyed traveling the world together. Gray returned from every trip with a renewed respect for the cultures of other countries and a more informed appreciation of his native state.

He earned his bachelor's degree at Wake Forest's original campus in 1956, in the last class to graduate there. He was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate, a member of Kappa Alpha Order, and business manager of The Old Gold and Black. Gray then moved to Winston-Salem and graduated from the Bowman Gray School of Medicine-now Wake Forest School of Medicine-in 1960. He completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at the University of Virginia Hospital and was subsequently a gastroenterology fellow at Duke University Hospital.

While he was a medical student, he joined Knollwood Baptist Church as a charter member. Early on, he sang in the choir and, in his later years, continued to enjoy the engaging messages of the ministers, the beautiful music, and the warm friendship of Knollwood's members. He supported Knollwood's outreach ministries to the local and global communities. In his retirement, he especially enjoyed tutoring at Bolton School, one of Knollwood's community partners.

During the Vietnam War era, Gray served as a captain in the United States Army, first at Ireland Army Hospital in Ft. Knox, Kentucky, and later at Kashini Barracks in Yokohama, Japan.

In 1966, he and his friend from Wendell, the late Dr. Carl Phipps, founded Maplewood Internal Medicine. Gray enjoyed getting to know his patients and giving them individual attention. He believed that knowing one's patients well led to better health outcomes. He served as president of the Forsyth County Heart Association and was active in many health-related causes. In 1999, he retired from the practice of medicine, though he always missed seeing his patients. He then volunteered at the Community Care Center and at Family Services.

"Graybo" loved his friends, many of whom were participants in the John Fisher golf group at Forsyth Country Club. He was a gregarious, curious, and candid friend; a devoted father to his three children; and a loving husband. He was a scientist at heart and wanted to know the facts-all the facts--behind any claim. Still, he recognized that friendship was a precious gift and that even those with opposing views should be treated with respect. He also knew, from his parents and from his Wake Forest professors, that faith and reason are not opposing forces, and he lived his faith in God along with his faith in science and learning.

Gray is predeceased by his parents and by the mother of his children, Hilda Maulden Boyette.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra Combs Boyette; his son and daughter-in-law, Gray Thomas Boyette III (Tom) and Kathryn Hix-Boyette of Winston-Salem; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Benny and Linda Sharpe Combs of Rural Hall; his niece and her husband, Emily Revis Combs and Alisan Ulucay, of Charlotte; his nephew and his wife, Benjamin and Christina Combs and his great nephew, Bennett Revis Combs, all of Winston-Salem; his daughters, Tara Ferris (Chris) of Lewisville and Jill Mountcastle (Frank) of Richmond, Virginia; and four grandchildren. He is also survived by many dear cousins.

The memorial service will be conducted on Sunday, October 6 at 3:00 p.m. at Knollwood Baptist Church in Winston-Salem.

Gray's family sends special thanks to his superb internist, Dr. Jeff Williamson; to his excellent oncologist, Dr. George Yacoub; and to Mr. Benjamin Marasha, his beloved caregiver who became a cherished friend in Gray's last two years of life. Special thanks also go to the staff members of the Sticht Center, Salemtowne Rehab and Trellis Supportive Care.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests that memorials be made to Knollwood Baptist Church, 330 Knollwood Street, Winston-Salem, 27104; the Gray T. Boyette Athletic Scholarship at Wake Forest University, Box 7227, Winston-Salem 27109 ; or the J. Paul Sticht Center on Aging, Medical Center Boulevard, Box 571021,Winston-Salem 27157. Condolences may be shared online at www.salemfh.com.