Fred A. Gray, 77, of Midland, passed away on Monday, November 26, 2007, at home. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Chapel in Midland with Scott Sheppard, officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm, Tuesday, November 27, 2007 at the funeral home in Midland. The family will receive friends in Breckenridge at the Kitchens Funeral Home on Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:30 pm. Interment will be at 11:00 am, Thursday, November 29, 2007 at Necessity Cemetery in Breckenridge. Fred was born on April 24, 1930, in Eliasville, Texas to George and Willie Gray. He married Shirley King on September 1, 1957 in Fayetteville, North Carolina. She preceded Fred in death on August 12, 2004.Fred graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1948. He joined the Army, where he was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and was a proud member of the 82nd Airborne. He moved to Midland from Odessa in 1998. He retired, after 38 years, as a warehouse manager and foreman from BJ Services in Odessa in 1991. He served on the board of Odessa Christian School. He also sold specialty advertising for Hap Sykes Advertising for the last ten years.Fred was a member of Junior Jaycees, Southwest Football Officials Association, Southwest Baseball Officials Association, 21st and Eisenhower Church of Christ, where he served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher, Odessa Chamber and CVB. He was instrumental in forming the 325th Airborne Association and served as president for the last 12 years. He was a member of Fairmont Park Church of Christ. Survivors include daughter, Patti Woolard and her husband, Royce of Midland; grandson, Shawn Woolard and Rachel of San Antonio; granddaughter, Jogee Comegys and her husband, Wick and their children, Lauren, Karin and Brian, all of San Antonio; granddaughter, Penny Pickett and her husband, Tony and their children, Nick, Kaegan and Bryce, all of McKinney; sisters, Jessie McCullough and Bessie Walters, both of Breckenridge; brother, Don Gray and his wife, Gerry of Irving; sisters-in-law, Roxie Garner of Hope Mills, North Carolina, Carol Vasquez of Rowland Heights, California and Ray King of North Carolina; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers-in-law, Jess McCullough, Lloyd Walters, Alvin Vasquez and James Garner, nephew, Wayne Walters and niece, Lisa Gray.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Odessa Christian School, 2000 Doran Drive, Odessa, TX 79761, Allison Cancer Center, 301 North N Street, Midland, TX 79701, Home Hospice, 901 W Missouri Avenue, Midland, TX 79701 or to the charity of your choice.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,
