Charles Lee Gray

Charles Lee Gray, 95, of Benton, Arkansas went to be with the Lord, Sunday, December 8, 2013. He was born February 3, 1918 in Grand Rivers, Kentucky to Joseph Arthur and Bertha Grace (Thompson) Gray. Charles graduated from Kensett High School. He graduated with a degree in Education from Henderson State University and received a Masters in School Administration from University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He worked 39 years in Arkansas education at Manchester, Velvet Ridge, Harmony Grove (Benton), Bentonville, Wilmar, Harmony Grove (Camden), Fountain Hill, Biggers-Reyno, Paron, Bruno-Pyatt Schools. He was a WWII Veteran, serving as a lead navigator for the 305th Bomb Group, 366 Squadron, 8th Army Air Corps. Stationed in Chelveston, England where he flew 30 combat missions over Germany with 2 missions on Hitler's Headquarters in Berlin. Charles received numerous decorations and citations including the Distinguished Flying Cross for outstanding service in 1945, and earned the Air metal with four Oakleaf clusters. Charles was an advocate for teachers and education by supporting bills in the State Legislature, serving on the A.E.A. State Leadership Committee. He volunteered for many organizations, including 9 years on the State Board of Directors of the American Cancer Society. He was a 32nd degree Mason and was on the Advisory Council of the Central Arkansas Area Agency on Aging, where he received an award for twelve years of dedicated service. Charles was a lifetime member of the Arkansas Retired Teachers Association and a member of the Saline County Chapter for many years. Charles was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Erma Dorothy (Thrash) Gray and his brother, Joseph Arthur Gray Jr. He is survived by his sons, Charles Lee Gray, Jr. and wife, Judy of San Diego, California, Thomas E. Gray and wife, LaWanda of Monticello, Arkansas, Bobby Gray and wife, Sherry of Benton, Arkansas, Bill Gray and wife, Karla of Bryant, Arkansas, his brother, Dr. Thomas Gray of Fayetteville, Arkansas, sisters, Mary Knapp of Manhattan, Illinois, Bertha Courtney of Fayetteville, Arkansas, nine grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Chapel services by Ashby Funeral Home will be 10 a.m. Thursday with burial at 2 p.m. at Ebenezer Cemetery in Kirby, Arkansas. Minister will be Bro. Cecil Hyde. Visitation will be Wednesday, 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Ashbys. On line guest book at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.