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Myrtle Beach — Donald L. Gray passed away the evening of July 19, 2023. 

Don was born on November 9, 1947 in Eastern North Carolina to Ira and Eula (Holton) Gray. Don is survived by his daughters, Jennifer L. Gray of Sherman Oaks, California and Haley V. Gray of Denver, Colorado; his grandchildren, Thomas Jay Krems and Caroline Victoria Krems of Sherman Oaks, California; his brother Michael Gray and his family of Winterville, NC; his sister Susan Gray Silva of Durham, NC; his aunt Delores Alexander of Creswell, NC; his uncle George Gray of Dayton, Tennessee; and his dearest friends, Vicki Ragin of Sherman Oaks, California, Michael Ragin and his family of Columbia, SC, and Brenda Holland of Myrtle Beach, SC.

Don grew up in Washington, NC and graduated from Washington High School in 1966. He was an exceptional athlete and leader who played on his high school football and baseball teams. He was recruited during his senior year of high school to play collegiate football. Don decided to attend Appalachian State University, where he was a member of the school’s football team. 

During the Vietnam War era, Don enlisted in the US Navy and was stationed on a Naval destroyer ship deployed to Southeast Asia. For his outstanding service to his country, Don received a National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam War Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Unit Citation Gallantry Ribbon (RVN MUC), and Meritorious Unit Commendation. 

After his military service, Don studied business and economics at East Carolina University and subsequently became a successful businessman in the Columbia area of South Carolina and Charlotte area of North Carolina. Upon retirement from the business world, Don moved to Myrtle Beach, SC with his close friend Brenda Holland to enjoy life at the beach. 

Don took immense joy and pride in his children and grandchildren and was a dedicated father and grandfather. He loved to dance the shag and was active in local dance communities. He was a history buff who had encyclopedic knowledge of American history. He had an infectious sense of humor and loved to make his friends and family laugh.

A graveside service will be held at Pamlico Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 161 Avon Avenue, Washington, NC on August 19, 2023 at 11:00 am.