Ronald Irvin Gray Sr. was born in South Hampton, VA on November 14, 1948 to the late James Isaiah and Johnny Beatrice Gray. He received his early education at the South Hampton County School and Ellen Warren Chambliss Elementary School in Wakefield, VA. He graduate from Central High School in Sussex, VA. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree from Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA in 1973 and was commissioned January 1974 to Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. His military service experiences included serving as Adjutant/S-1 of 36th Medical Battalion (Personnel Officer), Personal Administrator; Commander of the 11th Medical Company, and Platoon Leader/Motor Officer at the section level. He continued his education and earned a Master of Education Degree from Tarleton State University, Stephenville, Texas in 1980.

His thirty-three years of employment in Education with the Killeen and Copperas Cove Independent School District includes:
Principal, Shoemaker High 2006-present
Principal, Union Grove Middle School 2004-2006
Principal, Fairway Middle School 1999-2004
Assistant Principal, Rancier Middle School 1997-1999
Assistant Principal, Fairway Middle School 1994-1997
Administrative Assistant, Fairway Middle School 1993-1994
Director of On-Campus Placement Center, FMS 1989-1990
Earth Life Science Instructor, Fairway Middle School 1981-1990
Biology Instructor, Chairman of Science Department
Of Copperas Cove High School 1977-1981

He has had extensive professional growth experiences and has served on many district committee assignments.

Left to cherish his memory is his devoted wife, Floristine Gray, of Killeen, TX; three sons, Ronald Irvin (Ellen) Gray, Jr., of San Antonio, TX, Reginald Isaiah Gray of Killeen, TX and Austin Tyler Gray of Rochester, MN; five grandchildren, one great-grandchild; five siblings: Michael Gray, Shirley Gray and Lora Gray all of Wakefield, VA; Mary Cofer, of College Park, GA; Audrey Brown, of Dendron, VA; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, the students, faculty and staff of Shoemaker High School, colleagues of the Killeen Independent School District and a host of caring supportive friends of the community.

Service for Mr. Gray will be 1:00p.m. Saturday, February 14, 2015 at Piney Grove AME Zion Church, 34312 Chinquapin Road, Waverly, VA, with Pastor Bettie Bradley, officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Union Hill United Church of Christ Cemetery in Sedley, VA.