Vernon Gray, Jr., also known as "Jack", was born on October 13, 1939 in Jacksonville, North Carolina to  the late Vernon Gray, Sr. and Liadi Smith Gray. He transitioned to be with his Lord and Savior on October 5, 2019.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 40 years, Joanne Hampton Gray; both of his parents, Vernon & Liadi Gray; and his sister, Margaret Gray Pollock.

He graduated from Georgetown High School of Jacksonville, NC in 1958. Soon after graduating, he was led to Winston-Salem by his best friend/brother, Percy Bell. It was in Winston-Salem where he would meet  Joanne Hampton and where they would marry on September 1, 1961. Vernon was employed by Sara Lee (Hanes) as a machine operator on October 1, 1960, where he worked until his retirement on November 1, 2001. He received a trade as a barber in 1986 and cut hair on the side from time to time.  He was a proud man and believed in perseverance. He always said, "only the strong survive." One of his hobbies was fishing and he loved the entertain himself by watching Sandford & Son and listening to James Brown. He was a loving and devoted father and grandfather to his family.

He leaves to mourn and cherish his memories to his four children, Veronica Gray Black of Greensboro. NC, Sonya (Gary) Revels of Jacksonville, NC, Lisa Gray Smith of Winston Salem, NC, and his son, Vernon "Pete" (Gwen) Gray, III of Winston Salem, NC; he had five beautiful grandkids, Sherman (Mike) Revels of Greensboro, NC, Sheree Revels of  Knightdale, NC, Jamarr Black of Cali, Colombia, Derrick Black of Raleigh, NC, and Tesyana Smith of Winston Salem, NC; three great-grandchildren, Tadrion Davis, Ti'yana Davis, and Maelyna Fuentes of Knightdale, NC; left to cherish Vernon is his long-time companion, Mildred Williams of Winston Salem, NC; as well as a host of extended family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm Friday, October 11, 2019 at the Russell Funeral Home Chapel.  Interment will follow in the Piney Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery, Advance, NC.  The family visitation will be held from 12noon until 1:00pm on Friday at the Chapel.