James A. Gray Sr

James Andrew Gray Sr., (also known as Jay, JA, and Jim) passed away on Saturday, March 29, 2025. James was born in West Palm Beach, Florida on December 8, 1926 to Silas Emanuel Gray and Lola Anna Elizabeth Carroll. James served in the Navy during World War II. After his discharge, he worked in construction and attended Lively Technical School. James served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (1957 - 1959). He came back to Tallahassee where he worked in construction, delivery, and Insurance, before going back into construction in the Tallahassee area. He made a few detours in his life while he worked in Orlando, MIssissippi, and Texas before deciding to never leave Tallahassee again. James married Christi Ward on January 3, 2003. They were devoted to each other until his death last Saturday. James was devoted to his faith in Jesus Christ and began being active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints years before officially joining the church in 1955 until his passing. He was diligent in his service to his faith, family, and work. He was a positive influence to many people throughout his life. He used a number of sayings to motivate others. Some of his favorites were: if you can think it, you can do it; what would Jesus do; do unto others as you would have them to unto you; do your best and the lord will do the rest; always be thankful for what you have; you can never outpay the lord. James is preceded in death by his parents, siblings Fred Clifton Gray Sr., Mabel Francis Gray, Simon Peter Gray, Frances Louise Salisbury, Silas Edward Gray, Nellie Marie Morgan, Jonnie Jeanette Churchill, Lily Melvine Shapiro, Delores Mildred Hagberg-Gronewold, Florz Ann Elizabeth Smith, Iris Castello (Stella) Aviles. James is survived by his wife Christi Ward Gray, his sister Stella Aviles, children, Karen Rudder of Birmingham, Alabama, Gary Allen (Brenda Joyce) of Tallahassee, Florida, James (Andy) Gray Jr. (Faith) of Spring, Texas, Patti Brumley of Hernando, Mississippi, step children Cameron (Scott) Brackin, Heath Brackin, Clay Brackin, and Houston Brackin, his grandchildren William (Bill) Rudder (Katie), Brett Rudder (Freya), R Ray Allen (Deceased), Angela Allen Pilkington (Robert), Michael Allen (Jeanne), Shane Allen, Jason Allen (Jennifer), Amy Lehto (Miikeal), James Andrew Gray III (Lexa), Sarah Zornes (Tanner), Tracy Shepard, Timmy Brumley (Julia), Kari Packard (Derek); Step grandchildren Cameron Lee Brackin, Kira Brackin, Cole Brackin, Starr Brackin, Ashleigh Brackin, Alyssa Brackin, David Okpola-Brackin, and Esther Okpala-Brackin; and great grandchildren, Will Rudder, Emme Rudder, Henry Rudder, Beckman Rudder, Caroline Ruder, Lily Rudder, Jackson Allen, Connor Allen, Alex Allen, Rachael Allen, Rebecca Allen, Brady Allen, Bryce Allen, Jordan Allen, Taylor Allen, Evelyn Lehto, Matilda Lehto, Kaia Gray, James Andrew Gray IV, Astrid Gray, Freya Gray, Theodore Gray, Joseph Zornes, Grace Lynn Zornes, Mckenna Zornes, The viewing will be at 10:00 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. on Friday April 4, 2025 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 312 Stadium Drive, Tallahassee, FL. To watch the service online[https://zoom.us/j/98117568802?pwd=3QYZFRa3OWehY6pX64gR7Ab2sYPEz6.1] Todd Wahlquist is assisting the family with their arrangements (850-385-2193, www.bevisfh.com)

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James A. Gray Sr

December 8, 1926 - March 29, 2025