Gray – John Crockett Gray, Sr., age 79, of Hilliard, Florida passed away peacefully at his home on February 23, 2022 with his loving family by his side.  John was born on January 19, 1943 in Jolo, West Virginia to the late James Edward Gray and Arminta Jane Wolfe Gray.  John married the love of his life, Nona Lee Carter, on  April 13, 1964, and they have enjoyed the past 57 years of marriage. John has been a resident of Hilliard, Florida for the past 21 years.  He was a faithful member of Hilliard Pentecostal Full Gospel Church.  If anything, John was a hard-working man. He was always working a side job in addition to his regular job as a painter/glazier with the Duval County School Board of which he retired from in February of 2000. John was also a member of New Horizons and Sunny Side Bluegrass Gospel Singers groups where he loved playing the bass guitar.  He was the kind of guy who loved to tell a joke, kid around and pick on everyone; especially "Baby Red". John also enjoyed attending car shows, working on his old cars, and yardwork in his spare time. He was a treasure to his family and friends and will be greatly missed.  John is preceded in death by his parents, James Edward Gray and Arminta Jane Wolfe-Gray and several siblings.

John is survived by his wife, Nona Lee Gray, whom he lovingly called "Baby Red;" brother, David Gray (and wife Charlotte); children, Jan Hodges (and husband Aldean), Johnny Gray, Jr. (wife Michelle), Joey Gray (wife Melissa); grandchildren, Cole Hodges, Trenton Hodges, Justin Gray, Kyle Gray, Tyler Gray, Chelsea Gray, Mindy Gray, Sydney Tollick, Bradley Reynolds, Heather Carter, Hannah Francis; great-grandchildren, Kelilah Gray, Jackson Gray, Tucker Gray, Olivia Tollick, Brandon Tollick, Jade Bowie, Liam Carter, Stella Carter; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers: Cole Hodges, Tyler Gray, Justin Gray, Trenton Hodges, Kyle Gray, and John Claxton, with honorary pall bearers Mark Parker and Drane Parker.

A Celebration of John's life will be held on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Hilliard Pentecostal Full Gospel Church with Pastor Ike Mohler officiating. The church is located at 551821 US-1 S, Hilliard, FL 32046.  Interment will follow at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery across from Hardage-Giddens Riverside Funeral Home.  Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.  The arrangements are under the care and direction of Nassau Funeral Home, 541720 US-1, Callahan, Florida, 32011, 904-879-1770. Visit www.nassaufh.com to sign the family's guest boo