Joseph Ben “J.B.” Gray, a beloved father, PaPa, and devoted Christian, passed away peacefully on April 24, 2026, in Orange, Texas. He was born on December 29, 1932, in Hackberry, Louisiana.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, April 26, 2026, at Grace Point at Eagle Heights in Orange. Officiating will be Reverend Kevin Inman. Burial will follow at Dorman Cemetery in Orange.
Visitation will begin prior to the service at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, April 26, 2026, at Grace Point at Eagle Heights in Orange.
J.B. dedicated many years of his life as a skilled carpenter for Union 295 Carpenters/ALLCO. Beyond his professional life, J.B. was a man of profound faith and a longtime, cherished member of Grace Point at Eagle Heights Church, where his devotion was recognized with the "Father of the Year" award in 1998. He studied his bible daily and his life reflected his beliefs.
He found immense joy and peace in the great outdoors, whether he was fishing or hunting. J.B. was known for his generous spirit, always ready to lend a helping hand. He was a true giver, often assisting others in building their homes and various projects, embodying his compassionate nature. Above all, J.B. was a very loving father and PaPa, who loved his children and grandchildren deeply.
J.B. was preceded in death by his parents, Benny Gray and Lena Courville; wife, Deannie “Melvadine” Dorman Gray; his sisters, Marie Webb and her husband Cecil, and Mildred Niechoy and her husband Melvin; and his brother, Jerry Gray and his wife Charlotte.
He leaves behind a loving family who will cherish his memory: his son, Lynn Gray and wife Sabrina; his daughter, Ronda McComic and husband Keith; and his daughter, Regina Green and Ricky Retzlaff. He will be dearly missed by his grandchildren, Jody Gray and wife Kendra, Sabrina Lynn Gray, Simone Odom and husband Matthew, MaRanda McComic, Kristin Stephenson, Dena Oldham and husband Todd, and Devin Green and wife Amanda. J.B.'s legacy also lives on through his great-grandchildren, Jag Gray and wife Tina, Bryer Gray and wife Kadence, Sophia and Maizie Odom, Knox McComic and Nori Coleman, Willow Stephenson, Cash Smith, Sydney Morris, Camryn Coleman, Greenlea Oldham, Paxton Oldham, Porter Oldham, Cade Oldham and wife Gracie and their daughter Emma, and Waylon and Wrigley Green; many many nieces, nephews, and other loving family.
Serving as pallbearers will be Jody Gray, Jag Gray, Bryer Gray, Todd Oldham, Matthew Odom, and Randy Coleman. Honorary pallbearers are Devin Green, Porter Gray Oldham, and Knox Gray McComic.
