Rondy T. Gray

Rondy Thurber Gray, 89, of Waco, passed away Monday, April 3, 2023 at Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest Medical Center in Waco.

Visitation with Rondy’s family will be Tuesday, April 11, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 12, at Central Christian Church with Reverend Brian Coats officiating. Burial will follow at Waco Memorial Park Cemetery.

Rondy was born July 6, 1933 in Godley, Texas, and moved to Waco in 1945. He attended North Junior High and graduated from Waco High School in 1951. He served in the US Army and went on to graduate from Baylor University in 1959 where he was a member of the Nose Brotherhood.

Rondy married Gloria Stogdill in 1954. They were together until her passing in 2006. He then married Jackie Woolridge in 2007, who was by his side until his death.

Rondy was a well-respected businessman and community leader. He took over Waco Welders Supply after his father's death in 1968 and continued as its president and owner until he sold the company in 1997. By that time, he had grown the business to include 23 welding supply stores throughout Texas and an industrial gas plant. In 1995, he founded Texas Welding Supply in Austin. Rondy served on the board of Texas National Bank and was a founding board member of Texas First State Bank until 2020. He was also a founding partner of the original Brazos Queen and Brazos Landing restaurant in the late 1970’s

Rondy was an active member of his community, serving as a member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce from 1957 to 1974, and as its president in 1966. He was a life-time member of the Shriners, a full Mason, and served on the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame Board, was a member of TriGas Distributor Association, Liquid Air Distributor Association and IOMA. He was passionate about supporting his alma mater, Baylor University. He and his wife, Gloria donated the women’s basketball work out facility at the Ferrell Center in 2005 as a memorial to their son, Rondy B. Gray. Rondy continued serving his community with wife, Jackie. They were supporters of the Cameron Park Zoo, YMCA and Fuzzy Friends.

When he wasn't busy with work or community service, Rondy had a full social calendar; lunch with high school friends every week, lunch with business partners and with the weekly poker group. He enjoyed dominoes as well as a weekly gin card game with his friend, Jim Hawkins. He also enjoyed numerous hunting trips around the globe with family and friends.

Rondy will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all those who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents Thurber A. Gray (1968) and Neoma M. Gray (1979); his first wife, Gloria Gray (2006); and their son, Rondy Bruce Gray (2002).

Survivors include his wife, Jackie; son, M. David Gray; daughters, Katherine Brock and husband, Bill Brock and Marilyn Rovira and husband, Rafael Rovira; his grandchildren, Russell Gray and wife, Teresa, Kristen Gray, Jason Brock and wife, Shelley, Derik Brock, and Harrison Gray and wife, Rebekah; and great-grandchildren, Ava Ryan Brock, Dylan Brock, Emma Brock, Mallory Gray, Raine Brock and Samantha Gray.

Pallbearers will be Russell Gray, Jason Brock, Derik Brock, Harrison Gray, Bill Brock, Rafael Rovira, Mike Perry and Brian Callan.

Honorary pallbearers are Rodney Kroll, Bruce Little, Buster Clark, Paul McClinton and Hugh Howard Basquette.

A special thank you to Community Hospice and Baylor Scott & White Hospice and Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest Medical Center.

Memorials in Rondy’s memory may be directed to Fuzzy Friends, the Shriners or to the charity of your choice.