Johnny B. Gray

Mr. Johnny B. "Gray, 71, of Paris died Tuesday, August 11, 2020, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

A viewing will be held at 11:00 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday, August 19, 2020, at Rawls Funeral Home Chapel.

Johnny B. Gray birth April 8, 1949, LaCrosse, FL, death August 11, 2020, Nashville, TN. The son of Johnnie Powell and John Daniels both deceased. Survived by his wife of forty-six years, Barbara Tharpe Gray.

Johnny attended public school in Florida and New York. He had a great deal of in his alma mater, A.L. Mebane School in Alachua, FL.

Johnny was employed by New York Tele/Bell South/AT&T Systems for thirty years. He owned and operated Mr. Gurdfield’s Bar-B-Q for five years – slogan: “Don’t It Taste Good”.

Johnny was an easy going, humble, quiet, no frills guy. He had a great passion for life. Deliberate in thought process, a stickler for details – he wanted everything right. A man that moved at his own pace (slow).

Johnny was a member of Progressive Baptist Church. He possessed a strong faith in the Lord and was grateful for all the blessings that were bestowed upon him. He shared his musical talent in service for the Lord by being the guitarist and part of the music department for the church. His ministry was nurturing young musicians, assisting in any way possible in their developing musical skills.

Most of you knew Johnny as a guitarist. Well, he was an avid musician, singer, song writer and teacher. Our home was guitar music row for a number of musicians in the Paris and surrounding area. He was proficient on bass, lead and classical guitars. God blessed him with the gift of having perfect pitch. His repertoire included classical, jazz, rock, country and gospel – you name the tune and he could play the tune.

Thank the Lord, he loved to cook. The family and friend chef. Our kitchen was filled with meals that included pies, cakes, all type of meats and vegetables. His children and grandchildren will say, how they loved Dad’s biscuits. Fish, Fish – he loved to fish – deep sea or any body of water that was open for fishing, day or night. Michael (son) and Samuel (brother-in-law) can share their experiences with his night fishing. He had fishing buddies with whom he truly enjoyed for fish talk and fishing. His special fishing buddy of all times was Mekhi (grandson).

His other passions of life included photography, art, an avid reader – his thirst for knowledge was remarkable. He loved a good mystery book but researched and read everything. Loved competitive sports and games, such as boxing and football. A life time Raider and Florida Gator fan. He boasted quietly. Some may remember the hanging of alligator sign near his guitar stand at church. This was after a game when the Florida Gators beat the Tennessee Vols. This was a show of his great sense of humor. “Bid Wiz”, Tennis, Checkers, Scrabble…he would play at the drop of a hat. He always played to win.

Planning for his garden started in January of each year. Ordering seed catalog, collecting egg cartons for seedlings. Johnny had a green thumb and could grow any type of plant. He tried with all his heart to change the flow of nature. We transported and planted flowers/grass from Florida to New York and Tennessee – wrong climates. After a few years , he gave up.

The past years, Johnny’s health issues changed his way of working out and his zest for life. He never gave up. He just moved to some different activities like watching more television. He turned into a CNN/MSNBC junkie. All cowboy, especially The Long Ranger, reruns played and replayed. He revised the way to cope with those things he truly loved. His man cave was his recliner surrounded by his guitars, amps and music.

He shared his wisdom and knowledge with all that would listen. Family had no choice. His interest was getting the grandchildren to develop his thirst for knowledge. Monique was his conversation backboard.

My soulmate – there was no doubt in our minds that we were put together by God. Every year, for 46 years, we discussed the past year, good/bad, likes/dislikes and then decided if we wanted to continue our commitment another year. Until death do us part.

A man that loved all his family. He had four children: Jonathan Gray, Michael Gray (Vanita), William Gray (deceased), Angie and Joella Starr; fifteen grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren; sister: Joyce Daniel; brother and sister-in-law: Samuel and Gale Tharpe.

He leaves an extended family that are too numerous to list that it would take more paper than we are allowed for his celebration. He has seven aunts, three uncles, cousins, cousins, cousins all a part of the Gray, Wicks and Daniels family.

Nieces: Michele Lewis, Mary Floyd
Nephews: Christropher Kendall, Fred Lewis and Curtis Lewis
God Daughters: Lachandra Norwood, Kourtnee, Lin-cee and Jude Byars
Favorite Sons: Mark Porter and Vincent Nolen

He also leaves a vast number of extended relatives and friends.

Rawls Funeral Home - Paris 731-642-1515