Bryan Gray

On Saturday, October 24, 2020, my beloved brother, Bryan K. Gray, went to be with our parents and brother in God’s heavenly home after a brief illness. He was 72 years of age. His life started at St. Patrick’s Hospital in Lake Charles, LA. as the son of Jack H. & Anne S. Gray. His musical talent showed itself early. He started piano lessons before he was 10. He was accepted into The Governor’s Program for Gifted Children early in its formation, later going back to teach. He was a proud member of the Lake Charles High School graduating class of 1966 where he was a member/band captain of the Wildcat band, All State Band, Key Club, French Club, Mu Alpha Theta and National Honor Society. McNeese State University was his next education opportunity. He was a member of the Pride of McNeese Marching Band and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity. During this time, Bryan was awarded the Rotary Foundation Undergraduate Fellowship to study in Strasbourg, France for a year. Upon his return he graduated from McNeese with two BA degrees – one in organ performance and the other in music theory and composition. While in France Bryan made the faith decision to convert to Roman Catholicism. After a few years he received the call to become a priest – so, again, it was off to school – this time Notre Dame Graduate School in New Orleans, LA. In 1979 he was ordained into the priesthood in the Baton Rouge diocese. A few years later he was chosen to study Canon Law at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., then came back to Baton Rouge as a canon lawyer and judge. Due to health problems Bryan decided to leave the priesthood. He moved to Little Rock, AR to work for Nichols & Simpson, Inc. Organ builders where he remained 28 years until his death. He became a member of the Central Arkansas Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Bryan was a very talented musician who could ease your soul when he played the organ. Throughout his life he played the organ at various churches in Lake Charles – Christian Science Church, Immaculate Conception Church, McNeese State Univ. Catholic Student Center to name just a few. He served as organist for his home church, First Christian Church of Lake Charles under the direction of his Dad. We always joked that he was just covering all his bases with God playing for the many different denominations. Bryan was very much the introvert often referring to himself as the “Introvert From Hell” but with a wicked sense of humor – inherited from his Dad. He was extremely intelligent and played a mean game of Trivial Pursuit. He was compassionate and generous almost to a fault. Even in death he was an organ donor. After cremation, there will be a memorial service in Lake Charles in the near future. He is predeceased by his parents, paternal grandparents – Earl & Alta Gray; maternal grandparents – DD & Exa Snow; his younger brother – Stephen D. Gray; niece – Melissa L. Owen and many aunts and uncles and cousins. Those left behind to miss him are his sister – Patty G. Boyd (Mike) - Colbert, GA; sisterin-law – Lynn H. Gray - Lake Charles, LA; nieces – Sandra O. Manuel (Scott) and Kathryn B. Dendy (Dwayne) – Denham Springs, LA; Letitia L. Gray – Nebraska; Christine B. Brown – Palm Beach Gardens, FL; Carol W. Hulin (Bryan) – Lenoir City, TN; nephews – Robbie Gray – Nebraska; John M. Matthews (Theresa) – Greenville, SC and Matt Dishman – The Woodlands, TX. – numerous great and great-great nieces, and nephews; his best friend – David McNeal – Little Rock, AR and his fur babies Guthry and Bo Gray also of Little Rock, AR. Of course his survivors also include the LCHS class of 1966 – Go Wildcats! Bryan will be missed by many – but none greater than his little sister. I love you Bryan.

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