Terry Norman Gray, Sr., 80, passed away on May 6, 2022, in his home and surrounded by his family.

He was born the eldest of four children, (Terry, Jerry, Bobby, and Linda), to parents, Nile Amazon and Lydia Marie (Cutlip) Gray, on February 16, 1942, in Akron, Ohio. Terry graduated from Tallmadge High School in 1960. He always believed in being highly educated and went on to attend two more years of college at Kent State University.

In October of 1962, he married his high school sweetheart, Elaine Nadine Pursell. Soon after, he and the love of his life made their home in Stow, Ohio, to raise their three children. Terry was an extremely hard worker from the time he was a young man. In high school, he worked on the highway as a flagman on State Route #261. Then, he went on to work with Ford Ries Painting and had the opportunity to help paint all of the Lawson’s Stores in Akron and Canton. In 1962, he started his first official job, working for U.S. Stoneware in Tallmadge, Ohio. Here he started as a janitor and without surprise, quickly worked his way up to drill press operator, five-ton press operator, and helped with constructing fiberglass towers for chemical processing. Once he moved into the office, he knew it was time for a change. So, in 1966, he decided to join his father, Nile, at Ohio Bell, which later became AT&T. Terry had many roles at the Bell (installer, repairman, test board operator, among others), and eventually became a foreman. In 1996, he made the decision to retire after 30 years of service. Even after retirement, he enjoyed participating in his Ohio Bell Foreman’s Club, which he was active in from 1977-2006. Yes, he went on to work again for Alltel, the competitor, for another ten years.

Terry was a dedicated blood donor for the American Red Cross where he donated regularly to help save lives. In retirement, he was able to make golf his full-time job, where he played in leagues several times a week and shot his age or less most of the time. Terry loved working in his yard, firing up the grill, reading, sharing a story or two, and spending time with his family. He made time to travel to Arizona, Florida, and Las Vegas.

Terry was the ULTIMATE husband, father, brother, uncle, and cousin. Surviving Terry is his loving wife, Elaine, of 59 years; their children, Tara Lyn Moore (Mike) of Las Vegas, NV, Terry Norman Gray, Jr. of Las Vegas, NV, Ty-Ann Christine Gray of Akron, OH, and his sweet fur baby, Lainey Gray. He also leaves behind his wonderful younger sister, Linda Joan Meckly (Mark); sister and brother-in-law, LaDonna and Gary Anderson; brother and sister- in-law, Darrell and Nancy Pursell; sister-in-law, Paula Bardes; sister-in-law, Joanne Gray; sister-in-law, Beckey (Craig) Clemens; nephews and nieces, Scott (Jana) Anderson, Dawn Gray, Bob (Sarah) Anderson, Chris Gray, Brian (Michelle) Gray, Mike (Becki) Gray, Tom (Margaret) Whitis, Kristy Pursell, Paul (Carlee) Pursell, Jessica (Jeff) Carroll, Erin (Richard) Johnson, and Taylor Meckly, along with many great-nephews and nieces, and two great-great nephews and two great-great nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents, uncle, Newell Gray, mother-in-law and father-in-law, Pauline and Darrell Pursell; brothers, Gerald and Robert Gray; brother-in-law, Tom Whitis; niece, DeAnna Thompson, and niece, Tamara Gray.

Special thanks to Missy Hatch for all the wonderful meals and love ~ you were Terry’s third daughter.

There will be a private celebration of life for the family. No flowers or donations are requested. (REDMON, STOW, 330-688-6631)

Published in Akron Beacon Journal, Stow Sentry

Terry Norman Gray, Sr., 80, passed away on May 6, 2022, in his home and surrounded by his family.

He was born the eldest of four children, (Terry, Jerry, Bobby, and Linda), to parents, Nile Amazon and Lydia Marie (Cutlip) Gray, on February 16, 1942, in Akron, Ohio. Terry graduated from Tallmadge High School in 1960. He always believed in being highly educated and went on to attend two more years of college at Kent State University.

In October of 1962, he married his high school sweetheart, Elaine Nadine Pursell. Soon after, he and the love of his life made their home in Stow, Ohio, to raise their three children. Terry was an extremely hard worker from the time he was a young man. In high school, he worked on the highway as a flagman on State Route #261. Then, he went on to work with Ford Ries Painting and had the opportunity to help paint all of the Lawson’s Stores in Akron and Canton. In 1962, he started his first official job, working for U.S. Stoneware in Tallmadge, Ohio. Here he started as a janitor and without surprise, quickly worked his way up to drill press operator, five-ton press operator, and helped with constructing fiberglass towers for chemical processing. Once he moved into the office, he knew it was time for a change. So, in 1966, he decided to join his father, Nile, at Ohio Bell, which later became AT&T. Terry had many roles at the Bell (installer, repairman, test board operator, among others), and eventually became a foreman. In 1996, he made the decision to retire after 30 years of service. Even after retirement, he enjoyed participating in his Ohio Bell Foreman’s Club, which he was active in from 1977-2006. Yes, he went on to work again for Alltel, the competitor, for another ten years.

Terry was a dedicated blood donor for the American Red Cross where he donated regularly to help save lives. In retirement, he was able to make golf his full-time job, where he played in leagues several times a week and shot his age or less most of the time. Terry loved working in his yard, firing up the grill, reading, sharing a story or two, and spending time with his family. He made time to travel to Arizona, Florida, and Las Vegas.

Terry was the ULTIMATE husband, father, brother, uncle, and cousin. Surviving Terry is his loving wife, Elaine, of 59 years; their children, Tara Lyn Moore (Mike) of Las Vegas, NV, Terry Norman Gray, Jr. of Las Vegas, NV, Ty-Ann Christine Gray of Akron, OH, and his sweet fur baby, Lainey Gray. He also leaves behind his wonderful younger sister, Linda Joan Meckly (Mark); sister and brother-in-law, LaDonna and Gary Anderson; brother and sister- in-law, Darrell and Nancy Pursell; sister-in-law, Paula Bardes; sister-in-law, Joanne Gray; sister-in-law, Beckey (Craig) Clemens; nephews and nieces, Scott (Jana) Anderson, Dawn Gray, Bob (Sarah) Anderson, Chris Gray, Brian (Michelle) Gray, Mike (Becki) Gray, Tom (Margaret) Whitis, Kristy Pursell, Paul (Carlee) Pursell, Jessica (Jeff) Carroll, Erin (Richard) Johnson, and Taylor Meckly, along with many great-nephews and nieces, and two great-great nephews and two great-great nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents, uncle, Newell Gray, mother-in-law and father-in-law, Pauline and Darrell Pursell; brothers, Gerald and Robert Gray; brother-in-law, Tom Whitis; niece, DeAnna Thompson, and niece, Tamara Gray.

Special thanks to Missy Hatch for all the wonderful meals and love ~ you were Terry’s third daughter.

There will be a private celebration of life for the family. No flowers or donations are requested. (REDMON, STOW, 330-688-6631)

Published in Akron Beacon Journal, Stow Sentry