Richard Edward Gray

Richard Edward Gray, age 94, passed away on December 9, 2017, at Chapel Woods Health and Rehabilitation Center in Warren, Arkansas, having been surrounded by family and friends. Richard was born on April 8, 1923, in Thornton, Arkansas, to Earl and Orra Mae Gray. The family moved to Warren when Richard was a young child and he spent the remainder of his days as an integral part of the community. Richard married Emily Jane Criswell on June 26, 1948, and she remained the love of his life until her passing in 2003. He was a Christian, a 1941 graduate of Warren High School, a 32nd Degree Mason, and a deserving member of the "Greatest Generation." Richard developed his strong work ethic in the Depression era, working at the Bradley Lumber Company before and after school to help support the family following the premature passing of his father. He served our country during World War II as a Locomotive Engineer in the U.S. Third Army, coming ashore on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day +3. After the war, he continued riding the rails with the Illinois Central Railroad. Richard was always stylish, self-confident, and never met a stranger. When he finally decided to "jump the tracks", he harnessed those traits to become a leading salesman of sawmill equipment across Arkansas and Louisiana. Richard also loved to watch things grow - be they plants, animals, or people – and he loved to help all three. When he tired of the road, he opened the Bradley Feed and Seed Company in Warren which he owned and operated for more than six decades. It was this venture which provided his best opportunity to interact with and help people, engage in business dealings, cultivate his hobbies as a cattle and timber farmer, and play an influential role in the development of the Bradley County tomato industry – an accomplishment of which he was quite proud. Richard is survived by his sister, Betty Joyce Gray Denson of Tyler, Texas; his son, Chris Gray and wife Karen, and granddaughters Lauren and Emily Gray, all of Shreveport, Louisiana. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, December 13, 2017, at Frazer's Funeral Home in Warren. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, December 14, 2017, at Oakland Cemetery in Warren with Reverend Gary Harrison officiating. Active pallbearers are Randy Clanton, Vol Ford, Mike Harton, David Lyon, Bob Milton, and Bob Young. Honorary pall bearers are Dennis Boykin, Derwood Lyon, W.A. "Dub" Kimbrell, and Marshall Sharp. The family would like to express our most sincere gratitude to the many friends and caregivers who have provided support over the past several years, especially Judy Watson, Stacy Myers, and Dr. Joe H. Wharton. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the Bradley County Veterans' Museum. Online guestbook www.frazerfuneralhome.com.