Murray Daniel "Dan" Gray, Jr.

Murray Daniel “Dan” Gray, Jr., 87 of Columbus, Georgia died Thursday, August 12, 2021 at his residence.

A private service with Military Honors will be held at McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, Georgia. A private interment will be held in Parkhill Cemetery.

Dan was born in Columbus, Georgia on December 1, 1933 to Murray D. Gray, Sr. and Martha Martin Gray. Dan attended Wynnton Elementary and Columbus High Schools, then West Georgia College in Carrollton, Georgia, where he met and married Janet Pulliam. He then graduated from Auburn University and went on to serve in the United States Army.  Years later, he retired as an Officer in the U.S. Army Reserves. He led a colorful and adventurous life, traveling abroad with Joyce many times, working in many fields and enjoying the comforts of home, fishing at the land and producing a fabulous backyard garden each year. He had a pet chicken. As an adult, he collected and restored cars and raised chickens. He was an avid golfer for most of his life and enjoyed his membership at The Country Club of Columbus for fifty years.

He worked at Columbus Bank and Trust Company in his early career and served as the head of its Trust Department. While at CB&T, he attended Trust School at Northwestern University and Trust School at Manufacturers-Hanover in New York City. He went on to purchase Georgia Printing Company then served as Executive Vice President of United Oil Corporation. He was a co-founder of Child Care Network. Dan served the community in many capacities over his life, as a Board Member of Troy State University and the University of West Georgia, Columbus Museum, Muscogee County School Board, South Trust Bank and Colony Bank. He was instrumental in funding the restoration of Pittsview Baptist Church in Alabama, where he attended in his youth. Dan was a military and financial history buff. He was fascinated by the workings of the world, nature and automobiles. As a child, he raced in the Columbus Soapbox Derby and had the first Whizzer among his friends.

Other than his parents, Dan was predeceased by his younger brother, James L. Gray, Jimmy.

Survivors include his wife of thirty-five years, Joyce Eddy Gray, his children, Roxann and Murray, and stepchildren, Christine and Christopher and their families.

Dan and his family would like to thank his very dedicated friend, Jerry Newman, for his interest, support and enthusiasm and especially his best pal and fishing buddy, Magic Crystal Felder.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to your favorite charity in memory of Murray Daniel “Dan” Gray, Jr.

Those who wish may sign the online guest registry at www.mcmullenfuneralhome.com