Rev. Clarence “Jack” Gray, 93, of Pevely died Feb. 24, 2025, at Baisch Nursing Center in De Soto. The Rev. Gray had a long and rewarding career as an educator and a Southern Baptist minister. He served as a part-time and interim pastor for many area churches. He began his teaching career in 1955 for the Gideon School District in Southeast Missouri teaching junior and senior high for 10 years. From Gideon he moved to the Dunklin R-5 School District and was a social sciences teacher for 25 years at Herculaneum High School, retiring in 1990. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Festus-Crystal City, the Missouri State Teachers Association and the Phi Beta Kappa fraternity. He also served 9 years on the Dunklin R-5 Board of Education. Born April 11, 1931, in Kennett, he was the son of the late Lottie (Middleton) and Clarence Gray.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years: Reba Gay (Winters) Gray.
He is survived by a daughter: Rebecca (Gary) Myers of Maryland Heights; two grandchildren: Amanda Marie (Ryan) Steely and Gary Michael Myers; three great-grandchildren: Jameson, Jax and Jett Steely; a sister: Sue Gramling of Kennett; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He also was preceded in death by three sisters: Marceline Wilburn, Margaret VanRiper and Marjorie Hallman; and a brother: James Gray.
Visitation is scheduled from noon until services at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 8, at McDaniel Funeral Home, 115 South Bypass, in Kennett, officiated by the Rev. John Vogle of Third Baptist Church. Burial will be in Dunklin Memorial Gardens in Kennett. Memorials may be made to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering through any Southern Baptist Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.