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William Gray Obituary
August 6, 1946 - April 17, 2025
William "Jeff" Floyd Gray, a dearly loved, and never-to-be-replicated Brother-in-Christ passed away April 17, 2025, at Mercy Health - The Jewish Hospital in Cincinnati. Jeff was employed as a Vice President of The Fruth Property Management Company in Cincinnati until his passing.
Following graduation from Whitmer High School in Toledo, Ohio, in 1964, Jeff attended classes at the University of Toledo where he met many of his lifelong friends associated with Campus Crusade for Christ. After several work experiences in Toledo at The Toledo Sears Store and The Toledo Bell, Jeff moved to Philadelphia to attend The Philadelphia College of Bible.
Jeff's remarkable life was an immense journey of acquiring friends 'everywhere' who he would continue to follow and visit wherever they moved. Jeff never forgot birthdays, wedding anniversaries, addresses (former and present), phone numbers (current and long forgotten), and all your children's names, their spouses and current locations.
Jeff never stopped traveling but ultimately made his home in Cincinnati where extended families of aunts, uncles and cousins resided. Though Jeff never married he made and was accepted as family by an ever-expanding circle of friends, acquaintances, church and ministry associates that he would follow and visit from coast to coast. Regardless of moves, relocations and/or separations, Jeff would find you, and on occasion even your children when he got into his 'have-car-must-travel' mode.
Jeff traveled internationally, chaperoned college student trips to Europe and Mexico and eventually visited Scotland where he found a long lost heritage and literally acquired a new wardrobe of Scottish garb including Tartan kilts, sweaters, blazers, vests, matching knee socks and tams that he began wearing year round on the golf course, traveling, in summer and even in freezing cold winter weather (Ewe'Weee Brother).
Jeff had a never-ending and continually updated stand-up comic routine. He loved performing and managed and produced dinner theatre quality plays in and around Cincinnati.
Jeff wouldn't have thought to upstage Jesus during Holy Week. But he might have had an idea to pencil himself into an Easter Holy Week production. Surprise...he just may have done it and enjoyed his last curtain call.
Goodbye for now dear friend...till we see you and hear your jokes again.
Jeff was preceded in death by his mother, Jane (Reece) Gray; and father, Floyd Gray Jr.; and his sister, Laura (Gray) Dobbins. He is remembered by two brothers, Michael (Debbie) and Tom (Vickie); and one sister, Elizabeth (Gray) Crow; and nine nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Celebrations of Life will be announced at a later date.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Gray
4 Entries
Don Wettig
June 16, 2025
I could write a book of my memories of Jeff. I came home from work today searching for his number. I really needed to talk to Jeff. As my dead phone was charging, I found this obit on the computer. Saddened to learn of his passing. In my life there was no truer friend. Maranatha , Come Lord quickly.
Joe Spicer
June 15, 2025
Jeff lived in such a way that so he would be ready to die at any point with little to no regrets. He decided what he wanted to do early in life and he did it with all tenacity. He never got distracted from his mission and there are hundreds of people who have been enriched by his tenacious love. One of the other posts mentioned that Jeff valued people more than things. Nothing more true could be said about Jeff. He resembled the energizer bunny, going around the community or the entire country helping and encouraging hurting people.
His focus on evangelism and discipleship is a model for the rest of us.
C´mon everyone, let´s add a little Jeff Gray mindset to our lives.
Mark Mazza
May 28, 2025
We met Jeff early in our marriage..and spent many hours discussing every topic that surfaced that made you think, laugh, or just ponder.
Jeff visited us at random times but his visits just reminded us the things of this world are not as important as we think...but people are,,and made realize this truth every time he made his off the wall visits.
We will miss you my friend, brother, and fellow pilgrim.
Joseph "Jody" Hanford
May 24, 2025
Jeff was a great friend to me. He was one of the very first Christian friends that I met just after my conversion in 1978. Jeff was very kind hearted to all. He had a GREAT sense of humor that was right up my alley...very dry and very corny. He had me laughing a lot and that is a gift to the world when you are around a man like Jeff.
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