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- Obituary:
Frederic Gerald Gray
Frederic Gerald Gray, of Melbourne, formerly of Batesville, passed away at Pioneer Therapy and Living Center in Melbourne, Arkansas with family at his side on Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at the age of 78 years and three months. Born April 1, 1936 in Valley View, Arkansas, he graduated from Valley View High School before attending Arkansas College in Batesville where he was President of the student body and lettered with the Arkansas College Scots basketball team. While in college he served as a sergeant in the Arkansas National Guard during the integration crisis at Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, and was later honorably discharged.
He was employed as a chemist by Seiberling Rubber Company and Aerojet General in Batesville before owning and operating Colony Carpet in Batesville for many years. He was later employed by North Arkansas Human Services in Batesville as the Director of Vocational Rehabilitation before his retirement. In his retirement he made cedar crafts which he sold and gave away to his many friends.
He served several terms as Justice of the Peace in Independence County and also served several terms on the Batesville School Board. He was also active in the Batesville Jaycees for many years. A member of the Cheney Fellowship Class at the First United Methodist Church for more than four decades, he was involved in numerous charitable endeavors.
He was preceded in death by his father, Paul Collins, his mother, Helen Kathryn (Gray) Earhart, a brother, Jack Collins, and a grandson, Stephen Stillwell.
He is survived by a son, Dr. Adam Gray and his wife Michelle of Melbourne, Arkansas, a daughter, Anna Southerland and her husband Tim of Tumbling Shoals, Arkansas; two stepsons, Dr. Keith Stillwell and wife Connie of Maumelle, Arkansas and Dr. Scott Stillwell and wife Donna of Springdale, Arkansas; a stepdaughter, Cheri Vogel and husband Bill of Sunrise, Florida; a sister, Ann Webb of Jonesboro, Arkansas; and eleven grandchildren, Liam and August Gray of Batesville, Arkansas , Lydia Gray of Melbourne, Arkansas, Tyler and Kai Cunningham of Melbourne, Arkansas, Hailey and Tyler Southerland of Tumbling Shoals, Arkansas, Jon Stillwell of Heber Springs, Arkansas, J.C. Stillwell of Maumelle, Arkansas, Alex Stillwell of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Ian Vogel of Sunrise, Florida, and Broc Vogel and Brenna Copely of Orlando, Florida.
His time here was spent as a father, friend, and teacher to those who were blessed with his presence in their lives.
A memorial service has been set for Saturday, July 19 at 3 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Batesville, Arkansas.
Memorials can be made to the Cheney/Huddleston Class at the First United Methodist Church in Batesville or to the Lyon College Scholarship Fund. To sign his guestbook, please visit www.arkansasfuneralcare.com Arrangements made by Arkansas Funeral Care.
(Published in The Arkansas Gazette on July 10, 2014)
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1936 - 2014 (78 years)
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