Obituary of Frederick D. Gray

COLUMBIA—Frederick D. (F.D. or Fred) Gray died Friday, February 1, 2013. Born in Lower Richland County he was the son of the late Harry and Julia Joyner Gray. He was a veteran of WWII serving in the European Theater where he earned five battle stars for: Normandy, Northern France, Ardenes, Rhineland and Central Europe. Other medals were Good Conduct, Victory, Small Arms Expert and Marksmanship Ribbon. After discharge from the Army he joined the South Carolina Air National Guard. He was recalled to active duty for the Korean Conflict and again for the Berlin Crisis. He retired from the Air National Guard in 1968 with over 22 years' service. In the SC ANG he earned the Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Ribbon, SC Exceptional Service Medal and Active State Service Medal. He worked for the VA Hospital in Personnel and retired with over 30 years' service in 1973. He then worked in the Personnel Division for the State of South Carolina and retired in 1979. He was a member of Sherwood Forest ARP Church. He is survived by his widow the former Pearl Abernathy. They were married in 1948 for 64 years. Also, daughters, Becky Warr (Tommie) of Columbia and Ms. Amy Elliott of Virginia Beach, VA.; son, Les Gray of Columbia and grandchildren, Kelly, Chris and Kathleen; two great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held from 6- 8 p.m. Monday, February 4, 2013 at Greenlawn Funeral Home, a funeral service will follow at 8 p.m. in the Greenlawn Funeral Home Chapel. A private interment will be held Tuesday. Memorials may be made in his honor to Sherwood Forest ARP Church, 4325 Wilmot Ave., Columbia, SC 29205 or Palmetto Health Hospice, PO Box 7275, Columbia, SC 29201. On-line condolences may be sent to www.greenlawn-columbia.com.