James “Jim” C. Gray, 87, of Nashville, passed from this life at 10:12 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019 at the Brown County Health & Living Community.
Mr. Gray was born June 4, 1932, in Middleton, Tennessee, the son of Jerry F. and Mamie P. Crawford Gray.
He married Frances R. Coay Nov. 1, 1953.
Survivors include his wife of 66 years; children, Lauri Schmohl of Huntsville, Alabama, Chris (Marion) Gray of Warren, Maine and Matt (Amy) Gray of Nashville; grandchildren, Brienne (Derek) Babcock, Evan (Laura) Carter, Daniel (Sakina) Gray, Chelsey (Stuart) Tyson, Hannah Gray, Josie Gray and Tanner Gray; and his great-grandchildren, Dylan Carter and Charley Ann Tyson.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Jim Gray, painter/sculptor, lived life well as husband and father, while touching the lives of so many as a good friend, and literally thousands through the artwork he created. Jim’s artwork was his lifelong passion, and people the world over continue to enjoy what he always called, his “reason for being.”
His final years were lived with the challenges of dementia, and in response to that, the family asks that donations be made to the Dementia Action Alliance 501c3 organization, whose own reason for being is to help people live well with dementia. daanow.org/donate-now
In keeping with the families wishes cremation is planned and a private memorial service will be held at a later date.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the Gray family at barkesweaverglick.com
Arrangements were made by Barkes, Weaver & Glick Funeral Home.