John W. Gray's Obituary
John W. Gray, of Tatum, gently passed from this life on May 28, 2025, surrounded by his three children. A graveside service will be held at Harris Chapel Cemetery at 10:30 am followed by a BBQ Celebration of Life luncheon at 12:30 pm in the Tatum School Community Room.
Mr. Gray was born in the rural area of Crystal Farms on February 3, 1930, and lived his entire life in Tatum. He graduated from Tatum High School where he played basketball and where he honed his expertise in practical jokes. After graduation, Johnny worked with his brother Joe at Gray Pulpwood Company, a timber brokerage operation. Johnny was a member of the Masonic Lodge of Tatum for 60 years and a member of the Tatum Hunting Club. While not an official organization, Mr. Gray was also part of the Bank Coffee Group where coffee was drunk, and world problems were solved!
Johnny married Wanda Smith on January 19, 1952. Johnny and Wanda loved to travel and took memorable trips together and with their children. In addition to travel, Johnny and Wanda also loved a good poker game or slot machine. Great memories were made during their trips to Las Vegas and Marksville.
Known as Mr. Johnny throughout the Tatum community, his imposing stature, intriguing sense of humor and wit and his unquestioning generosity did not go unnoticed. He supported all aspects of the community. Whether buying raffle tickets to help award scholarships or girl scout cookies to support scouting organization or contributing funds to help people rebuild their lives after tragedy or to help businesses faced with hardships, Mr. Johnny was a pillar of the Tatum community.
Later in life, Johnny’s horticulture loves and abilities came to light. He delighted in nurturing a beautiful yard including his well-tended plants and flowers.
While the list of his loves and accomplishments is long, Johnny was quick to say that his proudest accomplishments were his three children.
Mr. Gray was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Maude Gray, his wife of 58 years, Wanda Smith Gray, his siblings: Haywood Gray, Mildred Cochran, Joe Gray and Langston Gray; his nephew Robert G. Allen and niece Linda Gray. He is survived by his children: Weldon R. Gray (Claudia), Karen Hughes (Craig) and Kathy Gray. He is also survived by his grandchildren Julie Dawn Gray, Jordan Senior (Ryan), John “Jack” Hughes (Lauren) and Joseph Ethan Hughes (Alina), and great-grandchildren John Henry “Jack” Houlette, Eleanor Gray Houlette, Smith Edward Senior, William Hayes Senior and a host of nieces and nephews.
The family expresses their deep appreciation for Mr. Johnny’s caregivers Yolanda Castillo, Mica Martinez and Betty Cruz for their tender care of our Dad.
Honorary pallbearers for Mr. Gray will be Ryan Senior, Craig Hughes, Ben Martinez, Tracy Allen, Cody Jones, Jack York, Hugh Martin, Assane Ndiaye and David Daniels.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations may be made to Harris Chapel Cemetery Association, 4555 FM 959, Beckville, TX 75631 or a charity of your choice.
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