Fred Joseph Gray's Obituary
With great sorrow and bittersweet gratitude, The Gray family announces the passing of our kind, brave, caring and unimaginably generous husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, Fred Joseph Gray. (Pappa, Lovie, Fred).
Fred Joseph Gray died unexpectedly on February 20, 2023 after his heroic fight with liver failure/cancer. He was only 58 years old. The family is deeply saddened and shocked by his sudden death. Fred was born on October 19, 1964.
Fred is survived and missed dearly by his loving wife September Gray. His step-children Kala and Jake; and the apple of his eye, his two beautiful granddaughters Julia and Addison.
His memory will live on with his only surviving brother, Thomas (Barbara) Gray and his two nieces and nephew; Mary Margaret, Kathleen and Galvin all of Decatur, Alabama. His uncle, Tom (Kathy) Gray of Evergreen, Colorado. He is preceded in death by his parents, Wayne and Joann Gray of Decatur, Alabama.
While Fred was a native of Decatur, Alabama, he and September made their married life home in Madison, Alabama. They created many memories of traveling the world, playing golf courses that were once in a life time and sitting on a sandy beach with a nice cocktail or three. He had a passion to cook and if you were ever lucky enough to taste his pasta or his scrambled eggs consider yourself lucky. Many things in his life were often “pleasant”. He also loved to travel to the big state of Utah to ski with his buddies. That was the trip he looked forward to each year.
Fred took an active role in the lives of his grand girls. Teaching Julia how to play golf and always ready to give advice on life skills. He always had advice for all of us! He loved to take Addison to dance class and was always the proud Pappa front and center at the dance recitals. He loved teaching her to ski and skiing with her on the blues was such a treat for him. Fred loved to share his eclectic taste in music, books and wine with all of us.
Fred had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. He was often spending his spare time researching topics of interests or reading books. He enjoyed watching University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) and University of Alabama football. He rooted for both for the sake of his beloved wife. That is until the Divorce Bowl (Alabama vs. Ole Miss) would occur each year in October. They always chose to watch that game in separate rooms. He loved to travel to The Grove in Oxford, Mississippi to partake in the tailgating and game day activities. He loved that his 50th Birthday was celebrated there with many friends.
Fred was never scared to take on new opportunities and did everything with honesty and integrity. He had very strong values and was well liked by everyone, mostly due to his positive energy. Fred had incredible patience and always made time to help others. He would always say ,“good karma can never hurt”.
His legacy will carry on forever reminding us that we control our attitudes and actions. To choose a life of meaningful acts of love, service and kindness. Fred was often quoted as saying, “You can always choose kindness.”
Fred’s Celebration of Life will be Saturday, March 11, 2023 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church 1055 Hughes Road Madison, Alabama. Visitation will be at 11am with a Mass starting at Noon.
There are no words that I can express how grateful I am to our family and friends for the outpouring of love you have shown. Fred would be so proud. During this Lent season, in lieu of flowers for the church service, we are asking for donations to either www.caringhandsvillage.org or https://www.redmountaingrace.com/ Both of these are free or small money donations for caregivers to stay during a hospital stay with their loved one. Or any other local charity you wish to do in his honor.
What’s your fondest memory of Fred?
What’s a lesson you learned from Fred?
Share a story where Fred's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Fred you’ll never forget.
How did Fred make you smile?