Clinton Gray's Obituary
Clinton Gray, also known as Babe or Big Clint was born October 31, 1937 in Bernice, Louisiana to Odell Hayes and Lorine Phillips Gray. Clint was raised by his mother and stepfather who he so affectionately called “Pap-paw”, the late Fessor Gray Sr. Clint received his formal education in the public school system in Bernice, Louisiana.
He accepted the Lord Jesus Christ at an early age at Mount Tabor Baptist Church in Louisiana. Clint moved to San Diego, California in the early 60s where he would meet the love of his life, Mary Gray and they remained married for 58 years until her passing in 2018. Both Clint and Mary became members of House of David, C.O.G.I.C., in San Diego under Clint’s brother, Pastor Eugene Gray, who preceded him in death, with the current pastor and friend, Sydney Buggs serving as the presiding pastor. Clint took on many jobs at the church including assisting with maintaining the church grounds and collecting bread to be served to those in need. Whatever asked by the church, you could count on Clint to help out when he was able. Clint enjoyed attending gospel concerts to praise GOD and frequently would play very loudly, gospel music at home. He enjoyed listing to gospel groups like Lee Williams, The Jackson Southernaires, Shirley Caesar, The William Brothers, The Canton Spirituals and The Five Blind Boys to mention a few, reflecting and acting on the powerful joy that gospel music would bring to his heart and cleanse his soul. It was a joy watching him clap and stomp his feet off beat.
Clint worked several jobs before excepting a position at General Dynamics Convair, supervising the transportation department where he would retire 39 years later in San Diego. Clint loved sports including baseball, and the San Diego Padres, football and the Chargers regardless of the city they represented, basketball, and wrestling. Clint met and made many lifelong friends, playing baseball around the city of San Diego. He was a hard throwing powerful pitcher and also would play the position of catcher. Clint was also an excellent domino player and would count numbers as if he was a human calculator. He would go to many domino clubs to showcase his expertise and the love of the game. If your domino game was not played at a fast pace, don’t sit at his table or you will hear him say something like, “Hey partner, you holding up my fun”. Clint also enjoyed and loved playing bid whist, just waiting to set the next team. He was very competitive, and loved to win. He also enjoyed spending time with his brothers when they would visit each other in San Diego, Louisiana or Texas. It would be like a comedy show, the laughter and stories told would light up the room. Clint also enjoyed spending time with his old General Dynamics buddies. The retirees would all gather together and go to a buffet breakfast or lunch once a month to reminisce and talk about old times and the good ole days. Clint loved being around his grand and great grand kids, especially toddlers. He loved watching them run around the house and do things that would make him laugh.
On Wednesday, May 31, 2023, Clinton Gray entered into eternal rest. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Gray of 58 years, mother Lorine Gray, his fathers, Odell Hayes and Fessor Gray Sr. His daughter Jeanette Gray-Hamilton, his brothers, Eugene Gray, Bobby “Pete” Gray, James Howard Gray and Fessor “Sam” Gray. His sisters, Corneal Gully, Mary Judy Montgomery, Addie May Holmes and Christine Hayes. He leaves to cherish and carry on his memories, his daughters Joanne Lang of Shreveport, LA, Denise Jones (Jay) of Shreveport, LA, Sheila Bradshaw (Waymond) San Diego, CA, and La Clinta Gray of Banning, CA, Clinton Gray Jr., Sister Odella Hayes, Clarine Parker, Houston, TX, Edna Fay Traylor (John) El Dorado, AR, Margie Gray (Bobby) Spearsville, LA, 14 grandchildren, great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
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