Paul Gray

Upon being diagnosed with esophageal cancer that had metastasized to his liver, lungs, lymph nodes, and brain on January 5, 2021, Paul Gray, 79 of Jasper was given only four months to live. With the power of prayers for healing from hundreds of friends, family, and loved ones all over the world,  Paul fought his evil cancer with dignity, humor, and the ferocity of a warrior until the bitter end.  At 9:39am on January 9, 2022, Paul moved from his earthly home.

Born in Beaumont, Texas on September 29, 1942, Paul started making a name for himself at an early age. An alumni of French High School Class of 1961, Paul served as President of the Student Body, was Senior Favorite Guy, President of the Key Club, involved in Drama Club as well as many other organizations. As a star athlete, Paul was the only player bussed from Bowie Junior High while in the eighth grade to play varsity football at the high school, where he played both offense and defense. Paul had a passion for ophiology, and could tell endless stories of his snake adventures. While in school, Paul worked from the age of 14 as a grocery sacker, life guard, and even modeled at a local mens clothing store, in order to help his family.  He was also awarded the title of Mr. Beaumont 1961.

After graduation, Paul attended Lamar Institute while working at varies jobs from road construction to insurance sales. Paul spent most of his years working in the Human Resource field. He oversaw this department at numerous large corporations including ECI, Concepts of Care, Tyler County Hospital, and then ran his own company. In later years he worked in sales along side his nephew at Camfil-Farr. Perhaps his most rewarding position came in 2015, when he was hired by Texas Department of Criminal Justice as a Correctional Officer for the Gib Lewis Unit. Upon completion of his academy he was awarded both the Gib Lewis George Beto Award and Gib Lewis Timothy Parsley Award. Loved by his superiors, coworkers, and many of the inmates, Paul served as the Back Gate Officer at the Glenn Ray Goodman Unit in Jasper at the time of his death. Up until last Friday he spoke of his ultimate goal to return to work with his friends that have supported him throughout his battle.

Survived by his adoring wife, Gina and numerous other friends, family, and loved ones, Paul will be most remember for his beautiful smile, shining baby-blue eyes, humor, and selflessness. He never met a stranger, remembered everyone’s name and always, always had a joke to tell. Eternally thinking of others, his final wish of donating his body to science, so that maybe one person will be spared the pain and suffering that he endured, was fulfilled.

As difficult as this transition will be for all of us that love and adore Paul, it is wonderful to know that he is no longer in pain.  He has been welcomed by his Lord and Savior of 57 years, dancing on the streets of gold, hunting and fishing in the Land of Glory, and sipping the finest champagne while floating the most beautiful lazy river ever imagined. 

A celebration of life honoring Paul will be held at First Baptist Church Doucette, 2245 N. Hwy 69, Doucette, TX, on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at 2:00 pm.

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