James P. “Jim” Gray, 76, of Nashville, passed away Wednesday morning, Dec. 13, 2017 at I.U. Health University Hospital in Indianapolis. He was a former resident of Indianapolis and of Crystal Lake, Illinois.
Father Eric Augenstein will conduct a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 18 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 1008 McLary Road.
Friends may call from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17 at Meredith-Clark Funeral Home Cremation & Personalization Center, 179 E. Mulberry St. in Morgantown.
Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery, Nashville.
Jim was born Jan. 2, 1941 in Springfield, Ohio, to the late William J. and Maxine M. (Phillips) Gray.
He married Donna L. (Bates) Gray on May 6, 1967 in Columbus, Ohio; she lovingly survives after 50 devoted years of marriage.
Jim was a 1959 graduate of Bryan High School in Yellow Springs, Ohio. He retired in 2001 after serving 37 years as director of various hardware manufacturing associations, including the American Hardware Manufacturing Association, National Retail Hardware Association and the Ohio Hardware Manufacturing Association.
Jim has been a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church in Nashville since 2003, a member of Gold Wing Road Riders Association, National Rifle Association, and a non-active member of the Knights of Columbus in Crystal Lake, Illinois. He was a former member of the American Society of Association Executives.
After retirement and spending too many years on the road, Jim and his wife retired to Nashville. Here he was able to pursue his life-long interests in photography and genealogy. Those close to Jim enjoyed his sense of humor and were often treated to an unexpected impersonation of Willie Nelson and a song or two. He loved to learn about most anything and had read the complete original collection of James Bond books written by author Ian Fleming. Jim had also been an active hunter and fisherman all of his life.
His advice on living was to “Treat others the way you’d like to be treated” and his life reflected his words.
Jim is survived by his wife, Donna; daughters, Michelle (Eric) Linton of Franklin and Theresa Gray-Pedersen of Crystal Lake, IL; brothers, Thomas P. (Evelyn) Gray and Michael A. Gray, both of Yellow Springs, Ohio; grandchildren, Marisa, Max, Amber and Ava Linton of Franklin and Kyle, Megan and Samantha Pedersen of Crystal Lake, IL; and many nieces and nephews.
Jim was preceded in death by a son, Aaron James Gray; brother, John W. Gray; and a sister-in-law, Sue Gray.
Memorial contributions can be made in honor of Jim to St. Agnes Catholic Church, 1008 McLary Road, Nashville, IN 47448.
Expressions of caring and kindness may be made to the Gray family at meredith-clark.com. Information: 812-597-4670.
