Robert Gray, Jr.

Robert “Bob” James Gray, Jr, passed away on March 16, 2024.

Born August 27, 1932 to Robert J. Gray, Sr. and Mabel Ellaby Gray on a dairy farm in Chandler, AZ.

Bob attended Creighton Elementary School and graduated from Noth Phoenix High School in 1950. Later he attended Phoenix College studying math and computers while also being a member of the Arizona 157 Infantry National Guard for 10 years.

As a lineman for Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph Company in Flagstaff, AZ for 3 years he mainly worked along the famous Route 66. After meeting Carolee J. Ek in 1952 on a blind date at a square dance in Flagstaff, they married 2 years later in 1954 and moved to Scottsdale where they managed a variety store for 10 years. He was a proud member of Orpheus Male Chorus for 16 years and was president of the club for 2 seasons.

In Phoenix, Bob was then employed by Arizona Public Service (APS) and in 1974 they moved to Prescott and he later retired in 1994 after 25 years of service. They remained happily married for 60 years and enjoyed traveling around the UK, Europe, Tahiti, Fiji, Australia and New Zealand both while he was working and after retirement.

Bob loved nature, gardening, woodworking and helping others as he volunteered for many organizations. Not only was he a member of the Masonic Lodge but also a past patron of the Scottsdale Eastern Star # 43 and enjoyed being the clown Curbstone for the El Zaribah Shriners Clown Unit.

He was also past president of Prescott’s Fine Art Association, Yavapai Shrine Club, Yavapai County Fair Association, and past Chairman of the Prescott Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors and chairman of the Bluegrass Festival and a member of the Smoki Tribe.

Bob is survived by his son Robert James (Jim) Gray III, daughter-in-law Charlotte, and grandchildren R.J. Zachariah, and Hannah and his two brothers Lewis and Richard and sister Susan De Long.

A funeral service will be held for Bob at Ruffner Wakelin Prescott Chapel, 303 S. Cortez St., Prescott, AZ, on Saturday, April 6th, 2024 at 11:00 am with a Graveside Service to follow at the Masonic Cemetery.

In Lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.