Jefferson Davis Gray II, 82, of Dunbar, passed away at Hubbard Hospice House in Charleston on April 1, 2006.

Born April 2, 1923, in Nitro, he was the son of the late Jefferson Davis Gray I and Katie Bryan Gray. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Carrie Frances Saffall.

Mr. Gray was a 1941 graduate of Dunbar, High School. He was a former Dunbar councilman and committeeman from the fourth ward. He was also a charter member of the Junior Mechanics of Dunbar. Early in his career he worked for Greyhound Bus Lines refurbishing seats. He also sold automobiles for two dealerships in the Charleston area.

However, from the age of 12, Mr. Gray had trained as a sign painter, and this soon became his life-long career. He painted signs for North American Aviation in Columbus, Ohio, for 4 years before moving to Florida hoping to make a more prosperous life for his family. In 1955 when his mother became ill, he moved back to Dunbar permanently and was employed by Royal Crown Cola as a sign painter. Then he became a self-employed sign painter, who had as his clients Kyle Furniture, Fruehauf Trailers, Pugh Furniture, Gunnoe Sausage, Ryder Transportation System, Moses Auto Dealerships, Larry Dawson Auto Sales, Raines Lincoln Mercury and many small businesses. Mr. Gray also developed the little Scotsman on the side of the trucks for McCown Meat Packaging Company. Mr. Gray was well known in the community and retired only when his vision wouldn't let him continue.

Mr. Gray is survived, by his wife of 60 years, Ruth Allen Gray; one son and his wife, Jefferson Davis Gray III and Frances Gray of Dunbar; one daughter and her husband, Dr. V. Katherine Gray and Gary Schoener of Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is also survived by 4 grandchildren, Jefferson Davis Gray IV and wife Lorraine of Cypress, Texas, Paul Ryan Gray and wife Shari of Austin, Texas, Alexander Grayson Schoener of Minneapolis, MN and Terry Lynn Maze and husband William of South Charleston and 3 great-grandchildren, Jefferson Davis Gray V, Audrey Lorraine Gray and Rebecca Lynn Maze.

The funeral service will be held at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 6, at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar.
Friends may call from 6 p.m. until service time on Thursday, April 6, at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar.

A graveside service and committal will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, April 7, at Beech Grove Cemetery, Eleanor.