Rev. Charles Gray, 72, formerly of Libby

The Rev. Charles L. Gray, 72, passed away Nov. 4, 2013.

He was born on March 1, 1941, in Eddyville, Ky., to the late Walter and Gertrude Gray.

The Rev. Gray served his country faithfully during the Vietnam era with the U.S. Army, serving  two tours of duty. During that time he was the recipient of two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star.

After his military service, Gray attended and graduated from the Baptist Bible Institute in Graceville, Fla., and was ordained to preach the Gospel in 1990 in Libby.

While living in Montana, Gray served with the Mission Service Corps of the Southern Baptist Convention for many years. He was instrumental in starting and fostering several churches, serving in Hamilton, Libby and Troy during the course of his 12-year stay in Montana.  

In 1999, he returned to Florida and served as pastor of the Bay Haven Baptist Church in Sarasota as a member of the Southwest Baptist Association.

The Rev. Gray is survived by his wife, Lynell Gray; his two sons, Chris and Duane Gray; and three stepchildren, Vickie Quilty, Angie Smith, and Ray Sanders.