Alexander Milton Gray, II

Alexander Milton Gray II was born during the Great Depression, in the small town of Elkins, West Virginia on 20 February 1938. Elkins is located in the Tygart Valley River, which is considered by many to be the heart of the Appalachian Mountains. Alex or “Corky” as he was known by friends and family, was the 1st son born to Alexander M. Gray and Margaret S. Summerfield. Sometime late in 1939, prior to WWII, Alexander M. Gray Sr. moved his family from Elkins to Fayetteville, WV, which was the hometown of his wife, Margaret Summerfield Gray. Corky grew up in Fayetteville, attending Elementary and High school and helping run the family business, “Gray’s Market”, which was located along Route 16 in Fayetteville. Corky learned at an early age the meaning of hard work, loyalty, family and pride in community. He is a 1956 Graduate of Fayetteville High School. Corky excelled at everything that he undertook. He was an accomplished musician, playing the drums in High School and then in the late 1950’s with his own jazz band the “Hi-Lo’s”. Like all young men, he loved cars and became a collector of many, mostly European MGs, Austin Healeys and Chevys. From 1960 – 1964, Corky had a brief career as a race car driver and joined Team Roosevelt competing on the Sebring circuit racing Fiat-Abarth, Austin Healey and MGAs. On April 30 1960, he competed at the Virginia International Raceway, finishing 14th behind legendary drivers Roger Penske, Dick Nash and Dick Lord. In 1965, he met and married the love of his life, Patsy Ruth O’Dell and adopted her three little boys, Frank Edward, Steven Gregory and Brian Paul. In 1966, he was hired by General Motors AC/Delco as a sales manager and quickly advanced to Regional Sales Manager at which time he moved the family to Columbus, Ohio. In 1976, he was promoted again and moved the family to Kentucky in order to manage the Central Kentucky Regional Sales Office. At the height of his career, he managed the sales forces of Central Kentucky, Western West Virginia and parts of Indiana and Southern Ohio for General Motors, AC/Delco. He retired from GM in 2003. He is survived by his three sons Frank E. Gray (and his wife Cecilia R. Gray); Steven G. Gray (and wife Gina D. Gray); and Brian P. Gray. He is also survived by his brothers Stewart “Skip” R. Gray (and wife Nancy Pat Gray) and Gregory M. Gray, sister-in-law, Elizabeth “Betty” O’Dell Boley and brother-in-law James “Sam” Edward O’Dell (and wife Barbara J. O’Dell.) He has three grandchildren: Kellye N. Gray, Alexandria C. Gray and Gavin E. Gray and one Great Grandchild Kailynn M. Johnson. Alex Gray is also survived by 10 Nieces and Nephews. Stewart R. Gray Jr., Kimberly Ann Gray, Mark A. Gray, Kathryn Elizabeth Moran Rogers, Kenneth Ray Walker, Wayne A. Boley, Debbie Sue Pierce Thomas, Roger Dale Pierce, Kimberly E. O’Dell Toney, Jennifer R. O’Dell, and several Great Grand Nieces and Nephews. He is loved by all, and will be sorely missed.