Richard-E-Gray

RICHARD E. GRAY


Gray arrived at Fort Campbell, KY in 1967 and was assigned to A/2/501st. He went with A Company to South Vietnam, December 1967. Richard is no longer with us.


MEDALS AND AWARDS Combat Infantry Badge National Defense Service Vietnam Service Vietnam Campaign Medal Jump Wings UNIT CITATIONS

BIRTH 1948 - DEATH 2007 (aged 58–59)

BURIAL - Evergreen Burial Park, New Philadelphia, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, USA

Rick Gray, age 59, of New Philadelphia, a proud veteran, noted musician and storyteller, father and friend, died Monday, July 9, in his home. Born at Akron, Ohio, June 28, 1948, Rick was a son of the late Walt L. Gray and his wife, the former Dody E. Vigar Gray. Rick was a 1966 graduate of New Philadelphia High School. He entered the United States Army following graduation and was stationed in Vietnam, Cambodia and Japan. While on his tour of duty Rick became a part of a traveling entertainment unit, a group known as the Franklin Park Zoo, in which he played the keyboard. A naturally talented musician, Rick began an interest in music at an early age by playing the piano at home. With just a week's worth of lessons Rick became a self-taught wonder Â able to pick up on music by listening to just a few notes. In addition to his skills as a keyboardist Rick enjoyed playing the guitar and was involved in many musical groups throughout his life including Raven, Buckwheat, Junction, Daniels & Rinehart, Shiloh, and the Half Fast Band, to name a few. Rick will be remembered by all who knew him as a fun-loving, humorous character, who made fast friends and wonderful music. At the time of his death, Rick was affiliated with Advanced Auto Parts at New Philadelphia, and for the past thirty years, had worked throughout the Dover-New Philadelphia area, first in service departments, and due in large part to his commitment to customer service, later in automotive sales. He leaves behind a family that includes his wife, Penny Gray of New Philadelphia.