James A. Gray, Jr.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Alice Douthit Gray, of Mechanicsville, VA and his two feline fur babies, Abby and Keepurr. He is also survived by an aunt, Peggy Gray, of Monroe, GA and by several cousins. 

Jim graduated from Lebanon High School (’63), Bluefield College (’65), and VPI (’67) where he received a BS in Business/Marketing.  He also earned a Master’s Degree in Education Supervision from Radford University in 1976. His entire career of over 39 years was spent in education.  He began teaching at Ervinton High School in Nora, VA and then became an itinerant teacher at Copper Creek.  He then taught at Graham High School in Bluefield, VA before joining the VA State Department of Education.  During his 32 years at the DOE, he held several different titles including Assistant State Supervisor of Marketing Ed. at a satellite office in Tazewell/Bluefield, Supervisor for Marketing Education, Associate Director for Marketing Education and finally, Associate Director of Career and Vocation Education from 1993 until his retirement. 

Jim was involved in a number of professional organizations including National Association of State Directors, National Association for Career and Technical Education, Virginia Association of Career and Technical Education Administrators (life member), National DECA, VA DECA (life member), National Marketing Educators, and VA Marketing Educators.  He also served on the board of two national organizations:  MBA Research and Curriculum Center and NACTEI (National Association of Career and Technical Information). He was also recognized as the 1993 Virginia Vocational Administrator of the Year. 

After retirement, Jim remained active, serving as a VA Marketing Education Teacher of the Year judge, VA DECA Scholarship Committee judge, and VA DECA Annual Report judge.  He was also an active member of Ginter Park United Methodist Church where he served on the Finance Committee, Board of Trustees, Church Council, Food Pantry Committee, and Buildings and Grounds Committee and was also head of an usher team.  In addition, he was a fan of NASCAR and Virginia Tech. 

At Jim’s request, a graveside service will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 14, 2021 at the Ketron Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, Lebanon, VA. Memorial donations may be made to the VA DECA Foundation, P.O. Box 4300, Manassas, VA 20208 or to Ginter Park United Methodist Church, 1010 W. Laburnum Ave., Richmond, VA 23227. bennettfuneralhomes.com.

Combs-Hess Funeral Service is honored to be serving the Gray family in conjunction with Bennett Funeral Home. Expressions of sympathy can be made on our Combs-Hess Funeral Service Facebook page.  Combs – Hess Funeral Service, 291 Highway 71 Fincastle Road, Lebanon, VA 24266 (276) 889-4444, www.CHfunerals.com.