Chester Harold Gray III

Chester Harold Gray, III, born in Chicago on 8-4-1939, passed peacefully in his home in McLean surrounded by family on 12-6-2025. Faithful son to Harold (Chester Harold Gray, II) and Lida Ruth and known to his friends and family as Chet, he was active in scouting as a boy, a graduate of the class of 1961 from GW University, and a proud member of Sigma Phi Epsilon. Chet was a district manager at Bell South, C&P Telephone, and AT&T, and an active contributor to his community. He served as President of the McLean Rotary Club, was a member of his Homeowners Association, and contributed to countless organizations in the Potomac and surrounding areas. Chet loved strumming on the guitar for all to enjoy and was an incredibly proud father and grandfather. He loved canoeing area rivers and telling tall tales by the campfire on annual Gray Family Canoe Trips, as well as his friends at the Potomac River Yacht Club. He is survived by his lovely wife Thelma Marie Gray of 65 years, daughter Laura Gray, son Chester "Chip" Gray, IV, daughter Barbara Gray Purtee and grandchildren Caitlyn, Travis and Sarah Purtee. A visitation will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at Trinity United Methodist Church in McLean, VA at 10:30 a.m. with a funeral (11 a.m.) and reception (12 p.m. to 2 p.m.) to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Meals on Wheels DC or the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.