HUDSON FALLS – Thomas Nelson Gray, 76, of Hudson Falls, went home to his eternal father on Thursday, November 14, 2013, at Pleasant Valley Infirmary in Argyle.
Born February 5, 1937 in Stanley, Virginia, he was the eldest son of the late William Otis Gray and the late Winnie Lohr Gray.
Upon his marriage to Alice Schooley Gray on April 22, 1958, he moved to Hudson Falls and raised his family here. Although he lived most of his adult life in Hudson Falls, his home state of Virginia always held a special place in his heart.
Thomas will be lovingly remembered as a hardworking, humble servant of the Lord. He was the pastor and caretaker of the Church of Gospel in Hudson Falls until his health failed. Thomas was employed by Glens Falls Electric Supply Co. until his retirement. True to his character, he was a dependable, loyal, and hardworking employee, husband, and father. In his final years at Pleasant Valley Infirmary, he did his best to be a bright and shining light for the Lord. He would speak of spiritual things and shared the gospel whenever there was an opportunity to do so with patients and staff. He particularly enjoyed discussing the Bible, answering biblical questions, and singing hymns in the activities room at the nursing home. Although he was never a man of many words, in his later years, in spite of his Parkinson’s disease, God blessed him with the ability to open his heart and engage in more conversation than ever before. Thomas was a wonderful example of a humble Christian walking with the Lord. He always wanted to be ready for heaven. Thomas was preceded in death his beloved wife, Alice, whom he was infinitely devoted, and by his parents.
He is survived by his three daughters, Allison (Alice) Paulzak and her husband, Michael of Navarre, Florida, Marion Leombruno and her husband, Robert of Lake George, Kelly Mckeown and her husband, Jason of Hudson Falls; grandchildren Elsie Paulzak, Rachel and Robert Leombruno, Tiffani and Kortni Tougas, Konnor and Landon Mckeown; great granddaughter, Layla Rosenblum; his brothers David, Samuel, Robert, John, Benjamin, Joseph, Rufus, and sister Lois, all of Virginia; his brother-in-law, Herbert Schooley of Hudson Falls, many nieces, nephews, and extended family.
Family and friends may call at from 4p.m. to 7p.m. on Friday, November 22, 2013 Carleton Funeral Home, 68 Main Street, Hudson Falls.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 23, 2013 at the funeral home with Pastor Robert Gray officiating.
Burial will follow at Union Cemetery in the town of Fort Edward.
Thomas’ family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Pleasant Valley for all their care and support through his final years and to the Church of Gospel and Pastor Robert Gray for their faithful support and prayers. Memorial donations may be made in Thomas Gray’s name to Parkinson’s Research Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, New York 10018, or to the Church of the Gospel, c/o Miriam Gray, 185 Gray Drive, Stanley, VA, 22851.
Our deepest heartfelt sympathies and prayers for Marion and Bob and family, Allison and Michael and family, Kelly, Jason and family at this sad time. Truly their father and grandfather will be deeply missed but we know he is out of his suffering now. Truly his reward is waiting for him in heaven. We all loved him very much, and look forward to meeting him again on that beautiful shore. Aunt Mimi and Uncle Sam
Marion,Bob and Family, I was so sorry to hear about your Dad. I worked with him at Glens Falls Electric and he was always such a nice man. Please know that I am thinking of all of you.
To Tom’s Family, Well I started working at Glens Falls Electric when I was 19, met the man who would be my working mentor that first day. I now look back at those days and think how patient and understanding Tom was with me. I’m still in the electrical supply business and now it is my turn to model myself after him when I have a new hire to “show the ropes”. Talk about a very reliable hard worker, he was there everyday along with BO, Norm, Sam, Mr Y, Mrs Y, Jack, Irene, Pete, Sue, Mace, Howard, Louis, what a gang but one really stood out. Tommy as we called him was the one that I never heard raise his voice, never complained, what a great person to model yourself after. Well the hours and hours go they turn into weeks and then to months and years. I learned that Tom really loved his family working as equally hard for them. I found out also the Tom really really loved ice cream, often he would buy a whole 1/2 gallon when he was out on deliveries and enjoy himself in a cool shady spot by the highway for “lunch”. Since his retirement I have missed him, often missing chances to travel along with BO who made a number of trips to see him at PVI. Thank you Thomas Gray for having that positive influence on me in our time together at GFES!!! May the family be blessed in the future, you have been in the past Dan Underwood, Green Mountain Electric Supply