James Edward Gray's Obituary
James "Jim" Edward Gray, 80, Pinellas Park, Florida, passed away on February 24, 2019. Jim was born in Ellenville, New York on July 14, 1938, son of Frank Jonathan and Helen Freer Gray. The family moved from Kerhonkson, New York when Jim was 14 where he jumped into racing as soon as he arrived in St. Petersburg. Even before he was in the first graduating class of Northeast High School he was manning the back gate and selling pit passes at Tri City. Jim also worked for his dad at Sinclair Grays Service Center and joined the Army. After the Army Jim went to work for General Telephone Company as a cable splicer retiring after 30 years.
Jim's passion was to build and maintain race cars out of his garage sitting in the back yard of his home. Jim's garage was his pride and joy that he and many of his friends built from the ground up. A place where all were welcome to work on their cars or just sit and spend hours talking about racing. Jim raced at Tampa Fairgrounds, Golden Gate Speedway and Sunshine Speedway. Throughout his 30+ years at Sunshine Speedway not only did he race he had jobs such as Flagger, Pace Car Driver and Race Director. After retiring from racing he became involved with SVRA-Sportscar Vintage Racing Association traveling with the series and working many jobs within the organization. Jim also loved to travel in his RV around the country or just staying on property in Weeki Wachee or on the banks of the Suwannee River.
Jim is survived by longtime girlfriend and caregiver Gayle Brown; daughter Barbara (Lee) Mitton; stepchildren Curt Brown, Keith Brown and Craig Brown; granddaughter Shayna (Andy) Reid; brother Tom (Johann) Gray; brother in law John (Carol) Smith; nieces Joanne (Kevin) Browne and their sons Austin and Cody, Tracy (Jessie) Reynolds and their sons Hunter and Will; nephew Randall (Denise) Gray. He was preceded in death by his nephew Steven Gray.
Jim will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
What’s your fondest memory of James?
What’s a lesson you learned from James?
Share a story where James' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with James you’ll never forget.
How did James make you smile?