David Barry Gray

David Barry Gray, 73, passed peacefully from this life into the arms of his heavenly father on October 4, 2020, in Toccoa, Ga.
David was born January 2, 1947, the second child and only son of Basil Parkhurst Gray and Mary Hunter McAuley, in Danbury, Conn. He attended the University of Colorado Boulder and Eastern Washington University, graduating from the latter with a political science degree. David then enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving as a corpsman.

After his military years, David met the love of his life, Susan Kay Thomas, while working in Ohio. They married on March 5, 1977, and settled in Medford, Ore., where they raised two sons. David worked for the City of Medford for 24 years, retiring in 2008. For several years, David and Susan split their time between caring for elderly parents in the United States, living in Honduras, and traveling across Central America. They then moved to Toccoa, Ga. to help care for Susan’s mother full-time. David loved to travel, go for long walks in the woods, read, and spend time with his grandchildren.

The last years of his life David battled dementia. While his body deteriorated, his smile, spark of humor, and deep love for his wife and family never faded. David’s loved ones will remember him as an intelligent but quiet man, filled with integrity, who was kind, gentle, and honest. He loved Jesus and always found time to serve others.

David is survived by his beloved wife of 43 years, Susan Kay Gray, of Toccoa, Ga.; son, Rory Thomas (Lea) Gray, of Dacula, Ga.; son, Tristan Barry (Jade) Gray of Lacey, Wash.; grandchildren: Deven, Rowan, and Aurora Gray; sister, Carolyn Nancy Gray, of Tucson, Ariz.; mother-in law, Madelyn Lucille Thomas, of Hartwell, Ga.; and numerous brothers and sisters in-law, nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Acree-Davis Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Mr. David Barry Gray.