Robert M. Gray

Retired U.S. Navy Veteran, Robert Mashona Gray, 83 (affectionately known as “Rob”), passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, at Sentara Leigh Hospital, Norfolk, Virginia.  Born March 29, 1938, in Braddock, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Edward and Rosa (Seay) Gray.  He was the beloved husband for over 40 years to Barbara J. Gray, much loved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Despite his medical complications, Rob stayed strong, courageous, and witty until he went home to be with the Lord.

He attended Carnegie Elementary and graduated from Braddock High School in 1955.  After graduation, Rob enlisted in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War, where he served on the USS Forrestal, a supercarrier designed to support jet aircraft, as an Electronics Technician.  His intelligence was second to none.  As an Electronics Technician, he utilized radar, countermeasure maneuvers and other complex systems to detect and track threats.  The many locations Rob was stationed, were Puerto Rico, Maryland, Rhode Island, Virginia, Italy, Spain, just to name a few.  He retired from the Navy after 21 years and then obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Saint Leo University.  Rob went on to become a Systems Analyst for Comptek and Ford Arrow Space. Rob was a founding member of the American Legion Post 81.      

In his spare time, he loved fishing, reading huge thriller mystery books, watching National Geographic, Disney Classic movies, and more importantly, spending time with family/friends.  His all-time favorite Sports Team was “The Pittsburgh Steelers”.  This was very apparent when you walked into his man cave and saw Black and Gold everywhere!

Robert was preceded in death by three brothers, Theodore Gray, Wesley Gray and Henry Bonnet; Four sisters: Fannie Lee Jones, Christine Robinson, Adelaide Hubbard, and Jessie Williams, One son in law: Robert Davis, and Two brother n laws: Mickey Forbes and Warner “Bunky” Mitchell.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara; Five daughters: Marsha Rose Murphy (Calvin), Cheryl Lavern Davis, Michele Marie Dent (Andrew), Gloria Lynn Rouse (Richard) and Roslyn Elaine Gray; Two sons: Bryan Fitzpatrick Eason (Donna) and William Claude Eason (Simone); Two brothers: Stacy Gray and Earl Gray (Vonciel); Two sister n laws: Maude Mitchell and Yvonne Goffigan; Thirteen grandchildren: Justin Murphy, Jordan Murphy, Justin Lowe, Richard Rouse, William Rouse, Kayla Murphy, Jaden Rouse, Bria Davis, Sterling Eason, Madison Eason, Joshua Eason, Rebecca Eason, and Joseph Eason; One great grandchild: Nova Tomasic and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.