George R. Gray

George Robert Gray, was born on April 23, 1933 to Abraham and Minnie Gray in Reading Ohio, both of whom preceded him in death.  George was the 7th of 7 children born to this union. After living a very happy and fulfilling life, George was called home to rest on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, surrounded by his family.

George accepted Jesus Christ at a very early age under the leadership of Rev. Charles Wesley of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Lincoln Heights Ohio. He served as an usher for many years and remained a faithful servant assisting the church for over 70 years until his health would no longer permit him to serve.

He attended South Woodlawn elementary and Lockland Wayne School where he excelled in both football and basketball. In 1952, he played guard on the Lockland Wayne State Championship basketball team. The First African American high school team to win a state championship in the United States. In 2019, George and his teammates of the 1952(record of 28-4) championship team were inducted into the Ohio High School Basketball Association Hall of Fame. This was an honor that was long overdue.

On Jan 7, 1952, George married the love of his life, Wanda Olverson. From this union they were blessed with 3 sons and 1 daughter. George proudly served his country in the United States Army, receiving an honorable discharge. He came back home and worked at Stearns and Foster, General Motors, Lincoln Heights Police Department and he and Aubrey Rose owned a bail bondsman company in Lincoln Heights Ohio. After a 32 year career, George retired from General Electric in 1998. Not one to rest on his laurels, George worked another 10 years with his daughter Dwan and her family at the Hamilton County Math and Science Academy where he was Lead maintenance supervisor. It was not unheard of for George to be working two fulltime jobs at once. He was very well known in the community that he lived in for the majority of his life.

He cherished his loving family and friends. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and playing the Ohio Lottery.  He always had a great story to tell about his adventures. He loved to travel with his wife. They were able to go to Europe to visit his son and family while his son was stationed there. You could look up and George and Wanda could be in Martha’s Vineyard, Canada, or the Poconos just to name a few. He would often show up at his Grandchildren’s game and just taught them many valuable life lesson’s. Shortchanging his grandson’s was something that he often did with pride and love. If he sent them out to get him a meal, no matter what it was, he would only give them $5.00, if they questioned it, he would tell them that you got it. If they came and moved furniture for him, $5.00 was the going rate. This always gave his grandsons a good laugh saying how cheap their grandfather was.

George was preceded in death by his son Eric Gray, great-grandson siblings Douglas Gray, William Gray, Jessie Hall, Helen Whaley, James Gray, Hazel Gray, Father and Mother-in-law Willam and Sarah Olverson, Brother-in-law Ronald Olverson and Sister-in-law Shirley Lightner.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory: His wife of 72 years Wanda Olverson (Gray), Children George B. (Sherry) Gray of Texas, Dwan (Timothy Sr.) Moore and Gary (Kellie) Gray both of Cincinnati, Ohio Loving grandchildren Anthony (Danielle) Gray California, Chaevon Gray, Timothy Jr. (Natasha) Moore, Cincinnati, Ohio, Shameek (Michael) Jones Texas, Marcus Moore, Gary Gray Jr and Kameron Gray, Cincinnati, Bother-in-law Leroy Olverson. 11 great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and cousins.

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