James (Jim) Denver Gray, Jr., age 83, passed away on Friday, December 16, 2022, in Baptist Hospital in Beaumont, Texas.
Jim was born in Crowley, Louisiana, on September 14, 1939, to James Denver Gray, Sr and Irene Gray. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Gray, Sr and Irene Flesher and brother-in-law and sister, Everett J Breaux and Alberta Pickett Breaux.
Jim served four years as a fireman in the US Air Force in Austin, Texas, and at Nouasseur Air Base in Casablanca, Morocco. After an honorable discharge from the Air Force, he moved to Vinton and worked at American Bridge Division of US Steel Corporation in Orange where he retired. While living in Vinton, he served in the Vinton Volunteer Fire Department and part time in the Vinton Police Department. During the time he worked at American Bridge he moved to Orange and married Gradalyn (Gay) Gallien in 1966-1991. Jim coached his children’s league soccer teams for many years and later became the first soccer coach for West Orange-Stark High School. In 1998 he moved to Kountze and married Judie Childress.
Jim is survived by his wife of nearly 25 years, Judie Childress Gray of Kountze, and sons Grady Gray and fiancé, Fran Hamilton and Cody Gray and wife Ronda Storms. Other survivors include his grandson, Dayn Gray and wife Megan Pitts Gray and great-grandsons, Gunner and Cooper Gray. Other survivors include his niece, Carolyn Pickett and husband George Clum of Blacksburg, Virginia, and nephew Owen “Red” Pickett and wife Pat of Lake Charles and great-grandniece Katie Pickett of Washington DC.
Cremation is under the direction of Faith and Family Funeral Home in Batson, Texas.
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