April 30, 1928 – May 22, 2021
Thomas R Gray was born to Moses and Inez Gray on April 30, 1928 in Cocoa, FL. Though he was born in Florida he spent most of his formative years in Newark, New Jersey.
He served in the Army from 1948 to 1952 with the 317th Engineer Battalion (The Buffaloes), fought in the Korean war (CO K 15 Infantry REGT 3rd Division Korea), received a purple heart and a Korean service medal with one Bronze Star and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant.
Thomas started working at the age of eight and continued to work well into his 70s. After serving in the military he worked a few jobs before landing at the Post Office for two years. Following the post office he worked for the National Tape Service, Inc, which later became RKO Studios, for 17 yrs. He was also a member of the Randall Anderson V.F.W. Post #9015 in Newark, NJ. At age 50, Thomas began working at the New Jersey Highway Authority and he retired at age 62 and moved to Lakeland, FL.
In 1953, Thomas and Doris (Epps) Calloway had twin daughters, Ethel Diane (Aminah) and Elaine Calloway. Elaine died when she was just a few days old.
In 1970 Thomas met the love of his life, Marlene Trent (Mayo). The two married in 1982. Though the two did not have any children together they raised Marlene’s children from her first marriage Dawn Mayo (Hutcheson) and Jay Mayo.
Thomas was a hard working man who loved his family. He willingly took on the role of Patriarch to both immediate and extended family providing wisdom and guidance. A life long learner, he was always inquisitive and seeking knowledge.
Thomas was preceded in death by his three brothers Alpheus, Milton (Pete) and John. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife (Marlene), his children Aminah, Dawn(Charles) and Jay (Kym), four sisters Mildred White, Newark, NJ, Vivian Buckman, Kissimmee, FL, Elizabeth Cudgel, Kissimmee, FL and Shirley Hollins, Clearwater, FL; his grandchildren Nadirah, Jade, Chanel, Alliyah, Djimon, Tia, Anajah, Nyla, and Myles, his great grandchildren Kayden, Liam, Priority and Rahmeir, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
The family would like to thank everyone for their prayers and condolences.
