Thomas George Gray, Jr.

Mr. Thomas George Gray, Jr., age 69, left this life on Sunday, August 26, 2018 at his home in Columbia, Tennessee after a hard-fought battle with Mesothelioma. He was the son of Thomas George Gray, Sr. and Carrie (Grubb) Gray, born to them on June 14, 1949 in Knox County, Kentucky. He was united in marriage to Phyllis (Bryant) Gray on February 1, 1968, and to their union were born two sons, Larry Thomas and Richard Allen and a daughter, Crystal Renee.

Thomas was a member of the Southfield Pentecostal Church and was a mechanical technician at General Motors Corporation, retiring from the Saturn Plant in Columbia, Tennessee in 2008 after 40 years loyal service. He was known for his hard work ethic, his charismatic charm, his wide-eyed storytelling, and his undying love for his grandkids.  He was the best Pawpaw a kid could ask for.  Thomas enjoyed working with his hands, especially woodworking - he believed any job worth doing, is a job worth doing well.  When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed going to grandkids baseball games or practice, or taking his lovely wife Phyllis to the casino for the weekend.

He is preceded in death by his parents Thomas George Gray, Sr. and Carrie (Grubb) Gray, and five siblings Ernest, Ken, Willard, Elsie and Lena.

Left behind to mourn his passing, his wife Phyllis Gray, two sons Larry Thomas Gray and wife Danielle of New Boston, Michigan, Richard Allen Gray and wife Kathleen of Brownstown, Michigan, and one daughter Crystal Renee Davis and husband Craig of Columbia, Tennessee, ten grandchildren Alexis Amanda Gray, Garrett Thomas Gray, Richard Blake Gray, Craig Steven Davis, Jr., Olivia Nicole Gray, Camille Francine Gray, Victoria Nicole Davis, Ava Alexandria Gray, Aidan Edward Gray and William Thomas Davis, brothers Nelson Gray of Barbourville, Kentucky, Lloyd Gray and wife Sharon of Culleoka, Tennessee, Jack Gray of Lexington, Kentucky and Colonel Gray and wife Shirley of Georgetown, Kentucky.  He also leaves behind a host of many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends to mourn his passing.

Funeral services for Mr. Thomas George Gray, Jr. will be conducted in the Cobb-Hampton Funeral Home Chapel on Thursday, August 30, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. with Reverend Randy Gray officiating.  He will be laid to rest in the Barbourville Cemetery. Cobb-Hampton Funeral Home will be in charge of all arrangements.

Friends will be received at the funeral home on Wednesday evening from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m. and on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of service at 1:00 p.m.

To the Gray family, the staff of the Cobb-Hampton Funeral Home would like to offer you our heartfelt sympathy during your time of bereavement.