of Paris, AR
July 26, 1938 - December 12, 2022
Dan Gray, age 84, of Paris, Arkansas went to his heavenly home on Monday, December 12, 2022 in Russellville, Arkansas. He was born on July 26, 1938 in Dublin, Arkansas to his parents, Leon and Zenia (Ramsey) Gray who named him Danny Mac. Until his college days, Danny was the name by which he was best known. To certain childhood friends, his name has never changed.
When Dan was four years of age, his family moved to Paris where he spent most of his childhood. After graduating from Paris High School, Dan completed two years of college in Oklahoma at Panhandle State, then transferred to Arkansas Tech University in Russellville where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. Dan attributed his successful career as a CPA to the education he received at Arkansas Tech. He enjoyed a 36-year career with the IRS as a Large Case Exam Team Coordinator for corporations.
Having lived in Fort Smith for many years, upon retirement Dan moved back to his hometown where he enjoyed reconnecting with friends and making new ones. After a time, however, he wrote to a friend that he missed the satisfaction that only comes from doing work of which we are proud. Dan then resumed performing seasonal tax work, a job he continued until this year.
During his lifetime, Dan's sincerity, honesty, helpfulness, sense of humor, and quiet demeanor endeared him to family and friends. Baseball was a special part of his life, beginning at a young age memorizing names and positions of major league players and remembering them his entire life. As a player, he usually was a third baseman - youngster to American Legion and high school, and, as he said, a ''minor'' player at Panhandle. For three consecutive years in high school football days, he received the ''Best Tackler'' award, weighing in at a whopping 135 lbs as a sophomore!
Trips taken near and far were special though none could take the place of his favorite Mount Magazine. Dan visited the mountain and the Lodge at every opportunity. He derived great contentment from the majestic presence of Mount Magazine, viewed daily across the rolling pasture, from his own back yard.
He enjoyed listening to many genres of music and attending concerts. Caring for his pets, playing golf, and joining his afternoon coffee buddies, all good times for him.
His strong faith sustained him during his lifetime, beginning at First Presbyterian Church in Paris as a child attending with his family. Dan was happiest when family gathered together, whether it was for special holidays, reunions, or simply ordinary visits. He delighted in reminiscing about special family times in Paris, Scranton, Dublin and Tokalon.
Dan is survived by his daughter, Amanda Jane Gray of the home; his sister, Sue Cummings Stallings of Russellville; his brother, R. L. Gray of Fayetteville; his niece, Courtney Gray of St. Louis, Missouri; his nephew, Gary Gray of Huntsville; many great and great-great nieces and nephews plus cousins. He was preceded in death by his beloved nephew, David Cummings.
Funeral service will be Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at 2 p.m. in First Baptist Church of Paris conducted by H. C. Varnadore. Active pallbearers will be Isaac Churchman, Marlin Davis, Bob Floren, Gary Gray, Chester Koprovic, and Stan Robinson. Honorary pallbearer is David Armbruster. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Paris by Roller Funeral Home. The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial gifts may be made to the ATU Business Department through the ATU Foundation online at www.atualumni.com/givenow or by check payable to the ATU Foundation. Please include ''Dan Gray'' Memorial'' in the memo line and send to: ATU Foundation Admin Room 209 1509 N. Boulder Ave Russellville AR 72801 or to the charitable organization of your choice. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.rollerfuneralhomes.com
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26 Condolence(s)
Matt Dhillon
Sunday, December 25, 2022
Dan,
My dear friend, I am going to miss you very badly. I regret very much that I did not keep in touch with you after my wife Jodi passed away.
Hopefully, I will see you on the other side when my time comes up.
Matt
John Goodson
Thursday, December 22, 2022
Sue Rl and family my thoughts and prayers for everyone
Charles & Anne Hart Allen
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
We send our love, thoughts and prayers to Sue, R.L. and Family! Illness prevents our being with each and all of you!!! We have SO many wonderful memories with this family!! The Peace of Christ be with you! Charles and Anne Hart Allen
Jerry Nichols
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
Danny was a very special friend. He kept me safe from harm as a teenager. He has always and will always have a place in my heart.
Curtis Varnell
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
So sorry to hear this news. A man who will be sorely missed by the people of Paris and Logan County. Condolences to his family
June Gilbreath
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
So so sorry for your loss. Danny was always so kind and caring. He will be missed. My prayers and thoughts are with you. 🥰
Rita Seifert Ferguson
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
Knew Dan when he lived in the Village Apartments in Fort Smith and discovered we were both from Paris.
Lost track of him after I moved to Greenwood. Sorry to hear of his passing. 🙠for all the family
Bill Wright
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
I met Dan when he moved back to Paris and I found him to be a considerate, and delightful man. My sincere condolences to the family.
jewell white
Monday, December 19, 2022
Sue Carolyn and family , i am sorry for your loss of Dan-a good man who made a difference. My prayers for his family. May God bless you all.
Cindy Gray
Sunday, December 18, 2022
Gotcha Dan!!! I know that you and I haven’t always seen the same way but I always have had your best interest interest at heart. And Amanda Janes at heart because she is my sister and I love her dearly. She is the reason that I smile when the day breaks and the reason that I smile when the sun sets. Because when she smiles the whole world seems possible. Thank you for raising me when we were together!! I never will forget the trout that bit you when you stuck your thumb in it!!! Love you, bunches!! 😘
Sandrq Mcbay
Sunday, December 18, 2022
Rip sweet cousin. Prayers for Sue and RL. Love you.
James VAnLandingham
Sunday, December 18, 2022
Thoughts and prayers are with you
Linda Trusty
Delissa Hamilton
Saturday, December 17, 2022
Dan was a very kind guy, we are great full to have known him. We will keep your family in our prayers.
With much sympathy and prayers
Douglas Hamilton and Family
Donna Houser
Saturday, December 17, 2022
Prayers for the family, may God continue to bless you and keep you. Dan will be sorrly missed.
Anna Beth and Klaus Thiel
Saturday, December 17, 2022
Our heartfelt sympathy to the Gray family. Dan was a fine person and he will be missed. He was one of the best.
Bucky Harris
Saturday, December 17, 2022
Danny is a person who will be missed. Prayers to the family.
Teresa Henson Schluterman
Saturday, December 17, 2022
I am so sorry to hear of Dan's passing. My Dad Hursel Henson were long time friends. He was very special to our family and will be greatly missed.
Neal Wade
Friday, December 16, 2022
Gray Family
Dan was a Friend and a great customer, he will be missed
Thoughts and prayers
Neal and Tamara Wade
Jane Harvey
Friday, December 16, 2022
My condolences to the Family! May God give you Peace, Assurance and Comfort. Dan will be missed greatly. Forever in our Hearts 💕
Margaret Stewart
Friday, December 16, 2022
Good kind man. Great mentor. He will certainly be missed. Taught me so much!
Charles A Howard
Thursday, December 15, 2022
I was shocked to learn on Facebook of Dan Gray's passing. Back in the late 1960's through 1980's, we had several conversations about things in general but also about income tax situations. We have exchanged various thoughts on Facebook. I counted Dan as being one amongst my dear friends. I pray for God to comfort his family during this sad time. I know they are hurting.
Sue McGee
Thursday, December 15, 2022
I am so sorry to hear of Dan's passing. He was such a sweet man, always friendly, and very kind. My prayers for his family and friends.
Jim & Pat Pendleton
Thursday, December 15, 2022
Jim and Dan played high school football at Paris High and after Jim got out of the Navy, they shared an apartment while working in Fort Smith. Dan suggested that Jim ask me out and as a result we have been married over 60 years. I also knew Dan and his family as my Mother worked for his Dad. He was a very special friend to Jim and I. Our deepest sympathy to his family.
Charlie and Shelly Koch
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
So sorry for your loss.
Thoughts and prayers for the family
Margaret Freeman Pearson
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
My husband, Charlie Pearson, was a dorm dad with Dan. Years later after we retired, we went on several group tours.
Dan, R.L., and Sue started going on the same group tours, and we kept trying to go on one together. Never got it done!! Dan and Charlie were the same age. I'm sure Dan will be missed especially by his family.
Harold Pike
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
I knew Dan when he was a "dorm dad" at Wilson Hall at Arkansas Tech. In 1960. Everyone liked him.