Graveside services, with military honors, for Mr. James Austin Gray, 80, of Alba, were held on January 18, 2022, at Red Oak Cemetery in Red Oak. Pastor Jamie Bennett officiated under the direction of Wilson-Bartley Funeral Home in Alba.
Mr. Gray died on January 10, 2022, at his residence in Alba. He was born on December 4, 1941, in Beckley, West Virginia, to James Lawrence and Mary Louise Thornton Gray. He served in the United States Army and had two tours of duty in Vietnam. He retired from the Military after over 20 years of service. He later retired from the West Virginia Prison Industries. He moved from West Virginia to Alba in 2007, and was a member of the VFW in Mineola.
Mr. Gray is survived by his wife of 59 years, Frances Gray of Alba; three sons, James Lawrence Gray and wife Holly of Grain Valley, Mo., Gerald Austin Gray and wife Shellie of Sparta, Ga., and William Myrick Gray and wife Maggie of Palmer; sister, Gail Hudgins of Hampton, Va.; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and numerous other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother; and three sisters.
Memorials can be made to St. Jude at www.stjude.org.