Talmage (Tom) Jay Gray

Talmage (Tom) Jay Gray, 86, of Marietta, passed away November 28, 2013, at his home with his family at his side. Talmage was born on August 14, 1927 in Graysville, Ohio, the son of the late Hollie and Ella Rebecca (Handschaumacher) Gray.

He graduated from Graysville High School in 1945 and served in the US Army from 1945-1947. He worked at the BF Goodrich Co from 1951 to 1990. He was a member of the American Legion Post 64 and the Sixth and Washington Street Church of Christ.

He enjoyed baseball, bowling, golf, and fishing but he especially loved spending time with family and friends.    In 1977 he was the Manager of the Union Carbide baseball team capturing both the Marietta Pennington League regular season and tournament titles with a 17-0 record. He spent many years following league baseball with his son and grandchildren.

Talmage is preceded in death on October 17, 2008, by his loving wife of 59 years, Mary L. (Leasure) Gray.   In addition to his father and mother he is preceded in death by two sisters, brother-in-laws, and one sister-in-law; Ava (Carl) Weckbacher, Betty (Sidney) English, and brother, Ralph and Grethel (Hall) Gray.

He is survived by his children, Deborah S. Cox, of Richmond, KY, Alicia A. (Jim) Walls of Carroll, OH, Talmage J. “TJ” Gray II, of Marietta, OH. Also surviving are grandchildren: Dr. Teri Ann (Craig) Bolte, of Villa Hills, KY, Keeper Gray, Talmage J. Gray III, Eli Gray, and Emrie Gray of Williamstown, WV, Sadie Gray of Marietta, step-grandsons Travis Walls of Wapakoneta, OH and James Walls of Amanda, OH and their families. Also surviving are two great-granddaughters Miriam Talmage Bolte and Vivianne Clark Bolte of Villa Hills, KY; sister-in-law Betty Burton of Wheeling, brother-in-law John Leasure and family of Scottsdale, AZ and precious nieces, nephews, loving friends, neighbors, and beloved friend Elaine Ogle.

The family would like to acknowledge the loving care given by Barb and Becky of Marietta Home Health and Hospice.

Funeral services will be held on Monday (Dec. 2) at 10:30 am at McClure-Schafer-Lankford Funeral Home with burial in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Graysville.  Friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday after 2:00pm.  Messages of sympathy may be sent at www.lankfordfh.com.

The family would appreciate donations in lieu of flowers to Hospice, 450 Pike Street, Marietta, OH  45750.