Fred Hamilton Gray, Sr., 80, of Kinnakeet, NC died Friday, July 2, 2021, at Mission Memorial Hospital in Asheville, NC.
A native of Kinnakeet, he was born on July 28, 1940, to the late Mary Holland Haywood Gray and Fred William Gray.
Fred attended Avon and Cape Hatteras School before enlisting in the United States Coast Guard in 1957 at the age of 17, serving his country honorably for twelve years.
An established entrepreneur building businesses in , he was the owner of Mr. Pizza Restaurant in Wilmington, DE, Sea King Seafood Restaurant, and Fred Gray’s Hauling where he was a garbologist and trashologist for Hatteras Island, as dad would say.
Fred enjoyed fishing, cooking, being with his family and reminiscing about stories growing up on the island. He loved making people laugh. Anyone that knew him, will remember his humor.
Mr. Gray is survived by his wife, Patsy Ann Olson Gray; two daughters, Merry Ann Gray Hammond (Joseph) of Weaverville, NC and Jennifer Lynn Gray Herina (Charles) of Swan Quarter, NC; four sons, Kenneth Alan David (Sharon) of Baltimore, MD; Michael James David of Avon, NC, Fred Hamilton Gray, Jr. (Rhonda) of Goodlettsville, TN, and Jonathan Malachi Gray of Avon, NC; a daughter-in-law, Debbie David of Baltimore, MD; eighteen grandchildren, Kenny, Sharon, Michael, Danielle, Billy, Krissy, Anthony, Hannah, Sierra, Ethan, Zacheriah, Tommy, Tristan, Joseph, Isaiah, Malachi, Adriana, and Billie; fifteen great-grandchildren, Jared, Sammy, Jacob, Cheyenne, Aurora, Bill, Brayden, Austin, Michael, Liam, Aria, Amelia, Draven, Trace, and Grayson; three great-great-grandchildren, Jacob, Eli, and Wren; and a sister, Jean Fulcher (Charles) of Chesapeake, VA.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, William Anthony David; and a sister, Vivian Scarborough and her husband, Ed.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, July 7, 2021, at Heritage Church Avon with Rev. Bryan Gray and Rev. Dana Cavallaro officiating. The family will receive friends and relatives for a viewing and visitation one hour prior to the service.
To plant a tree in memory of Fred or send flowers to the family, please visit https://www.twifordfh.com/send-flowers/.
Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.