Robert William Gray

Rev. Dr. Robert "Bob" William Gray, 93, passed away Monday, September 30, 2019, at Sunrise of Decatur Senior Living Community, Decatur Ga. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1944-46. He attended Gordon College in Boston MA, where he earned his B.A in 1950. He then attended Andover Newton Theological Seminary in Boston, MA where he earned his M.Div. in 1954. After moving to Orlando, FL, he earned his M.A. at Rollins College in 1972 and later earned his doctorate degree.

He was preceded by his wife, Jean Gray. He leaves his children: Judith Adams, Beth Vonnegut, and Robert "Mark" Gray; six grandchildren and many close friends.

Born and raised in Rochester, New Hampshire, the son of Susan and Edgar Gray, he was a first-generation Scot.
His mother came to the States from Glasgow, Scotland aboard the Lusitania in 1911. Robert lived with his Grandmother during the formative years of his life. Upon entering the first grade, his teacher declared he had a speech difficulty and proceeded to "smooth out his tongue". He was rolling his r's and clipping off this t's and, of course, that is one of the beauties of the Scottish brogue. But she would have none of that!

It was while living with his grandmother that his interest in Robert Burns, the Scottish poet was born. There were sayings by the poet on the walls and his grandmother often quoted Burns' poetry. Gradually the wit and wisdom, as well as the humor of Burns, claimed a hold upon his heart and mind. He began to see in this man's life and work, an understanding of and deep compassion for the ordinary human being. And so, Bob created the wonderful first-person monologues that he would perform across the years to the delight of many throughout the Carolina's, Georgia, and Florida.

He served on the International Missions Board, United Presbyterian Church (USA). His oversight of missionary programs involved extensive travel, inspection and speaking in the Far East, South America, the Caribbean, and the U.S. He served in a leadership capacity in the establishment of a television outreach program with a viewing audience in a wide area over the Carolina's, which continues to date.

His ministerial service included The Roxbury and First Presbyterian Churches, in Massachusetts from 1949-1954. He then ministered at Mullins and Fork Presbyterian churches in South Carolina from 1954-1959. From 1959-1965 he served at Black Mountain and Montreat-Anderson College in North Carolina. Moving to Florida, he was the pastor at Park Lake Presbyterian from 1965 to 1984. He and Jean moved back up to the cooler temperatures of Fayetteville, North Carolina, where he led worship at Highland Presbyterian Church. After losing his wife in a car accident, he returned to Longwood, FL where he served at Winter Park Presbyterian Church from 1989-1993. Upon retiring, he moved to Decatur, Georgia where he would serve as associate pastor at Morningside Presbyterian. He was loved by many, performing countless weddings and funeral services People loved his genuineness and the personal touch he brought to the ceremony. At one point in his service, he was dubbed, "Marryin' Sam".

Bob loved to travel and shared his passion with others by conducting tours to Europe, Israel, and Africa from 1970 to 1990. He continued his studies abroad in England, Scotland, and Spain.

Robert was loved by all. He will be missed dearly and remembered fondly.