Henry Gray, Jr. (better known as “Poncho”), age 73, was born on June 15, 1947 in the City of Alliance, Ohio. He resided in the Village of Jefferson, Ohio where he passed suddenly on the evening of Tuesday, August 25, 2020.
He loved his children and grandchildren and would do anything for them. He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching with his favorite uncle, Arnold “Scatman” Jones. Even though he earned a certificate in computer literacy and an award for “most willing to receive extra credit,” he still drove his brother Ronnie crazy asking for tech support. He was loved by all who knew him and kept everyone laughing with his witty since of humor. He was always the life of the party and known for his “stellar” dance moves. He was always dressed fly and his look was not complete unless he was wearing a hat. If you knew him, you also knew he was a Cadillac enthusiast. In fact, his email address was “caddieman4you.” He also enjoyed reading books so he could expand his knowledge. And he made it a point to keep up the latest trends in technology. He loved to exercise and was well known in Jefferson for his five-mile walks around the neighborhood. He enjoyed his brotherhood at the Cantell Elks Lodge #1412 of Alliance and was a member for over 40 years.
He began working at Conway Railroad Systems on August 20, 1966. This included two years of protected service with the United States Army. He was drafted on December 2, 1966, served in Vietnam, and was honorably discharged on January 15, 1969. He returned to the railroad and later became the first Black train engineer in Stark County in 1971. In 2009 he retired from the railroad with 43 years of service.
He was preceded in death by his father Amos Terrell, mother Eva Mae Douglin, and stepfather Rufus Douglin; three brothers Thomas “Tommy” Miles, Joseph “Joe Junior” Holloway, and Haldene “Dean” Douglin.
He was survived by his stepmother Dinky McGee-Terrell; two sisters, Joann Jones and Ruthann Douglin, two brothers Ronnie (Sonia) Douglin and Wendell Leith; uncle Arnold “Scatman” Jones; children Troy (Petrina) McLendon, Cicily Gray, Jamal Gray, Earnest Metcalf, Arielle Gray; six grandchildren, four great grandchildren; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and close friends.