George Albert Gray

George Albert Gray, 84, died Sunday, February 5, 2006, in Mobile, Alabama at the University of South Alabama Hospital. He was a native of Mendham, New Jersey and had resided on the Mississippi Gulf Coast since 1964. Mr. Gray was a veteran of World War II, and served as a fighter pilot with the 67th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group, 13th Air Force in the South and Southwest Pacific, having flown 110 missions. He was honorably discharged as a major in the Air Force Reserves in 1958. In civilian life, Mr. Gray became a factory representative for La-Z-Boy Chair Company, retiring after 22 years of service. While associated with La-Z-Boy, he earned the National Advertising Award in 1981 and the National Sales Award in 1982. Survivors include his wife, Frances Gray, son, Lamar Smead Gray, daughter, Mary Jane Gray, daughter-in-law, Susan Gray, granddaughter, Kristen and her husband David Miller, and granddaughter Meggan and her husband John Stolarski, all of Gulfport, and his sister, Gloria Gray, of Mendham, New Jersey. Burial will be in Biloxi National Cemetery at a private graveside ceremony. The Pass Road Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes in Biloxi is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to the Admiral Nimitz Foundation / National Museum of the Pacific War, 340 East Main Street, Fredericksburg, TX 78624.