John Timothy Gray

John Timothy (Tim) Gray, 72, passed away peacefully at home Saturday, May 13, 2023, surrounded by his family in Waco.

Visitation will be Tuesday, May 30, from 1 to 2 p.m. at McNeill Legacy Funeral Home in Tim’s hometown of St. Pauls, North Carolina. A graveside service will follow the visitation at Oak Ridge Cemetery at 2 p.m., officiated by Pastor Jeff Broadwell.

Tim was born March 1, 1951, to Zeb and Eunice Gray in Tolarsville, just outside of St. Pauls, where his daddy farmed. He graduated from St. Pauls High School in 1969, where he played on the football team. He worked in a local meat market throughout his high school years. It was during his senior year of high school that he met the love of his life, Glenda Walters of St. Pauls, North Carolina. Tim and Glenda married on December 26, 1971. Six years later, they were blessed with a daughter, Hannah, and 16 months after that, were blessed with their second daughter, Gretta. They both were his whole heart, and he was so proud of both his girls. Tim switched to working night shift so that he was able to be at all their tennis matches. Later, when his grandchildren came along, Tim relished his role as their Pop Pop, and they loved him so!

Tim worked at Texifi Industries in Fayetteville, North Carolina, as a Class A mechanic/electrician from 1971 until going to work for Kelly Springfield Tire and Rubber Plant in 1977, where he worked as a maintenance electrician for 36 years. He retired May 31, 2013.

Tim loved playing golf and going fishing. The best part about both for Tim was the time spent together with his family and friends. Tim was immensely smart with his hands and could fix or build anything. He built a wooden playhouse and giant tennis wall in the backyard that his girls enjoyed; and over the years, he crafted countless pieces for his wife—he often joked that she had so many items stored in his tool-building that he was no longer able to get to his saw. He loved watching the cooking shows on television and impressed his family by cooking many of the recipes he’d seen.

Tim worked hard all of his life to provide for his family—long and hard hours. If there was anything his family needed, he would work extra overtime hours. His fingers many times would crack and bleed, but he never complained. No matter how many hours he worked, Tim was there when his family needed him. Many mornings, when Tim was at work, Glenda, Hannah, and Gretta would find little notes that he’d left for them saying, “have a good day,” “hope your test goes well,” or “I love you.” He always put the needs of his wife and daughters ahead of his own.

Tim loved the Lord and put his faith and trust in Him. He was baptized as a young man in the Tolarsville Baptist Church, grew up in a loving Christian home, and continued to profess his faith to Jesus all his life. Tim was a good person and lived each day with joy, generosity, and love. He would tell his wife that he prayed for his family every night. Tim always saw the good in people and was always willing to help anyone who needed it. He was never in a hurry, always patient to take things one step at a time. He made friends anywhere he went, had a happy-go-lucky personality, and enjoyed making everyone laugh.

Some of Tim’s best friends were his brothers-in-law. He loved them like they were his own brothers. They were always there when he and Glenda needed them. Also, Tim’s friendships with his work buddies meant so much to him. When Hannah and Gretta got married, Tim loved his sons-in-law so much. He said many times how proud he was of the men his girls had chosen—that was very important to him. Tim’s grandchildren brought him so much joy. He loved crawling around on the floor with them, building swings in the backyard, showing them how to use his tools, and tucking them in at night with a story to help them sleep.

Tim was preceded in death by his parents, Zeb and Eunice Gray; and his brothers, Maurice and Harold Gray.

He is survived by his wife of 51 ½ years, Glenda Walters Gray; his daughters and their families, Hannah Russell, her husband Richard, and their sons Connor and Aidan of Waco, Gretta Kubis, her husband John, and their daughter Clara of Asheville, North Carolina; his sister, Patricia Goldbach and her husband Bill of Lumberton, North Carolina; and numerous extended family members: nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law, all who he loved so dearly.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to several people. To Blue Bonnet Hospice Care, especially to Isaac, Laurie, Nicky, Janie, Jodi, and Monte for all their support; we are so grateful for the compassionate and attentive care we received. Whenever we called, Blue Bonnet was there, and our every need was met during this very difficult time. Also, thank for the love, support, and prayers from my family in North Carolina. Last but not least, thank you to our Waco neighbors for all the food, calls, and prayers.

The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.