John Ashton Gray

29 octobre, 1945 - 31 janvier, 2021

Biographie


John A. Gray, age 75, passed away at 5:06pm on January 31, 2021 at his home in Leesburg, Florida due to complications from COPD. 


John had many titles: husband, father, brother, grandfather, CEO/President, Chairman, USAF Captain, Commercial Naval Captain, Flight Instructor and lifelong friend.  John came into this life on October 29, 1945 at Walter Reed Military Hospital in Washington D.C.  He and his parents, Ashton and Ella Maude, later moved to Palmora Park in Leesburg, FL where he attended Lee (51’) and Skeen Elementary (52-56) and Leesburg High School (class of 1963).  John followed his father’s footstep by attending The Citadel (class of 1967) where he majored in History.  John later joined the US Air Force and was stationed at Mt. Tamalpais (Mill Valley) Radar Station in San Francisco, California.  It was Hamilton AFB Officer’s Club in San Francisco where he met his future wife Dottie; mother to his three children.  In November of 1971, John and Dottie left California, stopping through Cleveland, Ohio to get married, and then returned to Leesburg to help his father run the family business (Dura-Stress, Inc.) where John served as CEO/President and Chairman of the PCI (Prestressed Concrete Institute).  Under his direction, Dura-Stress tripled in size and helped usher in new methods of construction, for which many structures are still in use today.  After returning to Leesburg, John built a family and traveled often, but always called Leesburg home.


John had a lifelong passion for football and baseball.  He played QB in high school (#14) and halfback at The Citadel.  Fall was his favorite time of year, mainly because it was football season.  In 1958, John pitched for the Leesburg Little League team and helped them win the state championship in Tallahassee.  Along with building lifelong friendships, John had passions for the air, sea and great food.  He continued his love of flying even after leaving the Air Force.  He would spend time instructing others to fly, including his closest friends, brother, son and wife.  John spent many weekends flying for fun, teaching or on some adventure.  Next to football and flying, John loved the sea.  He owned many boats in his life and acquired a commercial naval captain’s license so he could captain them himself.  A considerable portion of John’s life was spent on his boats, enjoying family and friends cruising numerous ports in the Caribbean with Walker’s Cay, Bahamas being a favorite.  With fun came adventure, as was the night of Oct 23, 1982 aboard the 65-foot Chesapeake Bay trawler named the “Oysterman”.  John and close friends ran into a serious storm 20 miles off the coast of Cape Canaveral, while doing a night crossing to bring their boat back to St. Augustine from the Bahamas.  John often quoted “we shouldn’t have survived that storm!”  Most who knew John well, knew he loved good and exotic foods.  He enjoyed having large groups of friends over for lobster and crab boils or to taste test his latest creation from the smoker.  However, those who knew John best acknowledged he was a natural in the kitchen as well.  John was blessed with having a significant number of close and lifelong friends from his early days in Leesburg to the “brotherhood” he formed while attending The Citadel.  He kept in touch with all of them and religiously attended lunch every Thursday with “the boys”.


John is lovingly remembered by his brother Michael Gray (Linda), the mother of his children Dorothy “Dottie” Jean Gray, his children Robert Ashton Gray (Anastasia), Michele Ann Gray, Christopher Lee Gray (Kim) and his three grandchildren Alexander, Christian and Aiden Gray.  Both his parents Julius “Ashton” Gray and Ella Maude Gray preceded him in death. 


A graveside service will be held Saturday, March 6th at 11:00 a.m. by the oak tree aside St. James Episcopal Church, 204 Lee St., Leesburg, Florida with Father Thomas Trees officiating.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Compassionate Care Hospice and St. James Episcopal Church.  A living memorial has been created for John to keep his memory alive.  Friends and family are invited to visit https://www.mykeeper.com/profile/JohnGray1/ to post tributes, pictures, videos, and personal stories.

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Famille

À propos de

Nom John Ashton Gray
Date de naissance 29 octobre, 1945
Date de décès 31 janvier, 2021
Ville natale Leesburg, FL, US 
Famille

Famille

EnfantsChristopher Lee Gray, Michele Ann Gray, Rob Gray
ParentsElla Maude Gray, Julius Ashton Gray
Grands-parentsBertie Catherine Hogarth, Ella Maude Miller, John Dodson Manly, Julius Augustus Gray
L’arbre généalogique Keeper

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Karen Wisdom a publié un hommage .

John with his grandfather, John Dodson Manly

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Tom & Sue Rice a publié un hommage .

We are so sorry for your loss. When we moved to Leesburg decades ago, you and your parents welcomed us to the neighborhood with such graciousness that we developed lifelong bonds of friendship. Our memories of those times in the old neighborhood remain fresh in our hearts and minds. For you and our children, school functions, fund raising, athletic programs, and just plain fun together are treasured memories. So many trips did we share: out west skiing, the islands cruising, fishing, eating way too much lobster and couch, pulling John across the shallows while he supplied that night’s grouper. We could never forget the trips on the Oysterman and the Ashton Gray, where at least once a day Captain John would put on his stern look and say, “You did WHAT?”, then quickly turn away trying to hide his amusement. Most importantly, you and the Rice children “discovered” an island and named it Grice Island, after yourselves. Know that in our hearts you will always be the “Grice Kids” and all of us one family.
You and yours are in our prayers,
The Rices

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Don Beers a publié un hommage .

John and I were friends since our freshman year at The Citadel. We roomed, studied and partied together until graduation. We remained close through the years and had many great times fishing and flying. You are missed my friend.

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Mike Huey a publié un hommage .

John welcomed me to Leesburg early on. I admired him as a classmate, teammate, businessman and good friend. God bless his family and all of you.

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Frank Golden a publié un commentaire .

Johnny was a great friend. We attended many years of school together and lived just down the street from each other. Rest in peace my friend. Frank

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Keene Little a publié un hommage .

John and I "met" through an online stock trading newsletter back in 2000 and we fast became online friends. We shared many stories and commiserated on what was happening in the stock market. It was good to have someone to share experiences with (including pilot stories since I flew in the Navy). I then met him in FL around 2010 and he was as gracious in person as he was online. He will be missed. My heartfelt sympathies to his family and I pray he's in a good place now, smiling down on all of us.

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Karen Duane Wisdom a publié un hommage .

My deepest sympathy to Rob, Michelle and Chris. My heart goes out to each of you. I am going to miss your father so much, especially at the family reunions, but I know he is having a wonderful reunion in heaven. I look forward to the time we will join him for a huge reunion. My love and prayers to you all.

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Myrna Kinlaw White a publié un commentaire .

My deepest condolences to the entire family. I am so very sorry for the great loss your family is experiencing. John and I were high school classmates. While I didn't have the pleasure of interacting with him once we graduated from LHS other than at a couple of class reunions held in Leesburg, I do remember him being a gentleman always, and very kind to me.

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Deborah E Smith a publié un hommage .

Rob, Chris and Michele - Our deepest sympathies for your loss.
Tim and Debbie Smith, Blue Ridge, GA

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Ronnie Young a publié un hommage .

Had a lot of great times with John, from football to the sea!
Miss our fellow Palmora Park friend! May he Rest In Peace!

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Ronnie Collins a publié un hommage .

John was my best friend in the third grade. He later taught me how to fly, which became a big part of my life. Then he introduced me to the Bahamas, which became another big part of my life. God rest his soul and God Bless his family!

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Rob Gray a publié un hommage .

John with the whole crew on Crescent Beach. Picture courtesy of Pat Duane. Left to right. John, Mike, Pat, Carol, Karen, Aunt Nancy, Sandra and Dodson.

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