Oscar Arlie Gray

Our Dad, Oscar Arlie Gray, 91, resident of Jacksonville since 1966, died Monday, September 9, 2013, at Cabot Nursing and Rehab Center. He was born near Enders in Faulkner County, Arkansas, on February 18, 1922, to James Alfred and Florence Johnson Gray. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Ima Gray Libby, and his wife of 60 years, Vernelle Shumate Gray, who died in January. Dad graduated from Mt. Vernon High School in 1940 and joined the Army Air Corps in 1940. He was a proud veteran of both WWII and the Korean War. He served with the 97th Army Air Bomb Squadron during WWII in North Africa and Italy. After the conversion of the Army Air Corps to the United States Air Force, Dad remained in active duty and retired with the rank of Chief Master Sergeant in 1966 at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. Upon his retirement he returned to Arkansas where he went to work for Koppers Inc. in North Little Rock, known as the tie plant, retiring from there after 20 years. Dad leaves to cherish his memories his daughter, Marcia Dornblaser (Jim) of Jacksonville; Jim Gray (Cindy) of Cabot; grandchildren, Michael Dornblaser (Jen) of Jacksonville; Julie and Cindy Dornblaser of North Little Rock; and Madison Gray of Cabot. Dad is also survived by his great-grandsons, Hunter Grayson Dornblaser and Rhett Arlie Dornblaser of Jacksonville. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, September 11, 2013 at First United Methodist Church in Jacksonville with Reverend Mark McDonald and Rev. Charles Watt officiating. Interment will follow in McNew Cemetery in Greenbrier with Military Honors. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Youth Program; 220 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076. Arrangements by Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home (501) 982-2136. Sign online guestbook at www.mooresjacksonvillefuneralhome.com.