Name: Viewing for Dr. Clayton Gray Jr.
Start: 2024-07-19T20:00:00.000Z
End: 2024-07-19T23:00:00.000Z
Location: Morgan Funerals & Cremations

Dr. Clayton Gray, Jr.
ROCKY MOUNT - Dr. Clayton Gray, Jr.,Rocky Mount native and beloved son of the late Willam Clayton Gray and the late Ada Dupree Gray departed this life on July 3, 2024 in Lake Forest, Illinois.
He retired from Lake Forest College- Foreign language Professor. He was fluent in over 19 languages. He was an accomplished classical pianist and a smooth tenor. He was a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.
He leaves to cherish his memory his sister, Rev. Dr. Ada Gray Pulley, Rocky Mount.
Viewing: Sat., July 20, 12pm, Funeral: 1pm at Metropolitan Baptist Church 1213 Leggett Road, Rmt 27801. Public viewing: Friday, July 19, 2024, Morgan Funeral Home 4pm-7pm.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Daily Reflector on Jul. 18, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Clayton Gray

Sponsored by Morgan Funerals & Cremations.

34 Entries

Susan Farnum

Planted Trees

Mary

August 7, 2024

Such a great soul, I looked up to him as I am currently a speaker of 4 languages. He was a great Italian teacher and I will always have fond memories of seeing him at Carnegie Hall at Lake Forest College.

Sean Richards Tikkun

July 27, 2024

Cherished memories of a professor who had both deep knowledge and a playful spirit! An example I work to emulate for my students.

Sarah

July 27, 2024

Grazie mille, Professor.

Jenna Hammerich

July 27, 2024

He taught me Italian and baked a sweet potato pie for our class at LFC, after finding out that we Midwesterners had never tasted one. Thank you for your kindness, Professor Gray, and buonanotte.

Kate Austin

July 26, 2024

Dr. Gray was an incredibly kind man and a tremendous educator. I have wonderful memories of him from my time at LFC. He will be missed!!

Angie

July 26, 2024

Dr Gray was my German teacher (he would be proud to know I work in Switzerland now!). I will always remember his huge grin whenever he pulled a cough drop from his pocket.

Charlie Huntington.

July 26, 2024

What a bright light at LFC! He will be missed.

Hirotsugu Asari

Planted Trees

Frederic, Adriane & Jade Hutchinson

July 26, 2024

Clayton was not only a wonderful colleague at Lake Forest College, but a true friend. We enjoyed sparring over which Carolina (my wife, Adriane, is a native South Carolinian) is "the right Carolina" while breaking bread together in our homes or local eateries. Even as his health was failing, I'd call and he'd do his best to get in a favorite pun or the corniest of jokes. I'll miss his infectious smile and laugh, our lengthy phone conversations, and those delicious cheesecake cookies he'd hand-deliver to us from time to time. Rest in paradise, my friend.

Pamela Hamilton-Foster

July 25, 2024

Professor Gray was a wonderful person. LFC was fortunate to have him and I was fortunate to have him as my French professor.

Carole Collins Ayanlaja

July 25, 2024

Dr. Gray was a bright light. He was so intelligent and expressive. As an African American student, in the late 80's, I was proud to see him as a force in the Language department. His exposures debunked any stereotypes.

May his spirit be exalted.

Dr. Carole R. Collins( Ayanlaja ) LFC 87

Cecelia Hayes

July 25, 2024

I thought the world of Clayton! I deeply appreciated his quirky humor, his warmth and his perpetual good cheer (not to mention those ever-present puns!) I never had the privilege of his teaching in a classroom setting, but his very presence in that LFC collegiate environment as a respected colleague, an esteemed professor, a mentor and a role model was truly impactful and consequential--not only for me but for everyone in the community. May the Ancestors greet his coming with praise and thanksgiving. Clayton loved Children--and children loved him... My daughter Julia with Clayton in 2011. Rest well friend.

Bernice E Gallagher

July 25, 2024

Clayton Gray was a gentle man, a fine scholar, a great teacher, a beloved colleague. I have many fond memories of his incredible kindness during the 25 years of our friendship. Sending love & sympathy to his family & many friends, Dr Bunny Gallagher

Kirsten Schuttey

July 25, 2024

Professor Gray was an great great man! He was very caring and compassionate. He will truly be missed by all.

Willard Hunnewell 1986

July 25, 2024

I'm sure he was frustrated with my lack of learning German from him, but he never showed it!
A very accomplished gentleman.

Keegan

July 25, 2024

I never had the privilege of having a class with Dr. Gray, but I remember him so fondly! He would walk into the lounge area in Carnegie Hall while I would be there meeting with other professors. He was so open and friendly, and always had a story to share, and had me in stitches with his puns. In the brief moments I did see him, I was always left with a smile on my face and my heart feeling a little lighter when I left the building or headed to class. He usually also left me with a cough drop or 2, which also made me chuckle, because I would sometimes go into a coughing fit from a laughing too hard, which he started! The world will miss such a cherished soul, but we will remember him always

-Keegan La Schiava, Class of 2013

Ihsan

July 24, 2024

Mr. Gray as I called him was my Godfather. He was neighbors with my parents on campus and he quickly became family. I'll miss his presence at Thanksgiving or any family event. He was always there for me. His stories were classic and his voice always warm. I'll cherish my voicemails of him singing happy birthday! I love you Mr. Gray. I am glad you are in a better place and North Carolina "The Best Carolina" will miss its favorite son. Ihsan

Alan Berry

July 23, 2024

Although I need had Clayton as a professor at LFC, I always counted on seeing in the stands at basketball game. During my final two years of college, he was a wonderful person to talk with for suggestions and insight. He was an absolute asset for the College. Rest well, Clayton.

Teryn J. Robinson

July 23, 2024

Clayton Gray was one of a kind, a true gentleman, funny and kind. The world was made better because he was part of it.

Steve Murray (LFC '87)

July 22, 2024

When I was a young admissions officer at LFC (after graduation) and needed a place to stay, Clayton (my tennis buddy) offered me a room in his home until I found a place of my own. It was during that time that he introduced me to turkey bacon honey toast sandwiches, which I enjoy to this day. Every time I make one, I think of Clayton.

I have a very vivid memory of the two of us playing tennis on my birthday in late June. It was 90+ degrees and we had no business being out there in that heat, but Clayton was a trooper (sorry for all the drop shots).

He was intelligent, funny, giving, talented and the ultimate gentleman. You couldn't find a gentler soul or a kinder heart. My condolences to his friends and family. Rest well, my friend.

QuaShaun

July 22, 2024

Dear Uncle "Tip" I want you to know that I am still in shock by your death. How could someone with so much life be gone? It gives me great comfort to see that you were loved by so many people across the world! I want you to know that you will always be in my heart! You don´t have to worry about Grandma because I´ll be there to comfort her. Until we meet again

Diane

July 22, 2024

Professor Gray was a consummate gentleman and true scholar. His love for teaching and for life made him a can´t miss professor at LFC. May his memory be a blessing for all those who mourn him.

Robert Archambeau

July 22, 2024

I remember him for his unique sense of humor and his generosity. My child learned to play music on the piano he gave us. He was a fundamentally decent man and will be missed.

Kobena-Marcus J. Collins

July 22, 2024

Condolences to the family and friends of this incredibly talented man!

Rob Flot

July 22, 2024

I was honored and humbled to work with Professor Gray at Lake Forest College. Rob Flot

Janet

July 22, 2024

In addition to his vast knowledge of languages and his musical and baking talent, Clayton was one of the kindest, most generous, most gracious people I ever met. And even after he retired he would always pitch in to teach students Russian and Italian (languages we didn´t officially offer at the College) to interested, willing students. Just a wonderful and amazing person.

Susan (Kunkle) Farnum

July 21, 2024

I remember him always singing...as he entered class, in the hallways. He was a joyful presence. I knew of him before I had him as a professor myself and was so pleased to finally haveba class with him. For someone with the amazing mind that he had, he never once came off as pretentious. As elegant as he was, he was practically giddy about sharing his passions and he made Carnegie a lovely place whenever he was around.

Genevieve Kurian

July 21, 2024

I loved being in Herr Grau's German class at LFC. He made class fun and exciting. Listening to his life stories and about his grandmother made class so enjoyable! He is one of my favorite professors! He will be missed but Heaven has gained an amazing polyglot angel! Mein herzliches Beileid!

Melissa

July 21, 2024

My deepest condolences. I never had a class with you, but you will be remembered fondly.

Schuyler

July 20, 2024

He will always be to me, DR Gray! I was his student and he my advisor 1979-1983 at LFC. I was a young man , a bit lost, and he help me focus and develop a desire for learning other languages and cultures. He had a big impact on me, and I will be forever grateful. I studied Spanish, went to Spain, married a Spanish girl and raised 3 boys in both countries. Now, retired, I can truly say Dr Gray changed my life. I wish all the best to all his remaining family.. lots of love from Boston.

Daniel Fath

July 20, 2024

I attended Lake Forest College from 1982-1986. I first met Dr. Gray the summer of 1984 - I spent that summer working on campus. We kept in touch over the years, so I stopped in to see him last October when I was back in Chicago. He was in hospital, but his mind was sharp as ever and he was in good spirits. Dr. Gray was a fascinating man. I will miss him dearly. Condolences to his family.

Mehul Parekh

July 19, 2024

I was a student of Clayton's at Lake Forest College. He was a great teacher, who tried over a couple of semesters to teach me German. Over time, we became good friends and I visited with him just recently when he came home from an extended stay at a medical facility. No matter what he was going through, he was always in great spirits and had an amazingly positive attitude. We always poked fun at each other about many things and he would always end up challenging me to a duel. I will miss him dearly. Rest in peach my friend. We will meet in another lifetime. I would like to request Clayton's family to get in touch with me at [email protected]. God bless!

Ann Hudson

July 17, 2024

When my sisters and I were growing up, Clayton was such a part of our family we all called him Uncle Clayton. He and my mother stayed in close touch, and they died less than 3 weeks apart. Our love and condolences to all Uncle Clayton's family and friends. His kindness was unforgettable. Love, Ann, Barbara, and Sarah Hudson

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