1941
Luther
2012
Luther "Gene" Gray
February 14, 1941 — December 12, 2012
Luther "Gene" Gray, 71, of Atlantic Beach, died Wednesday December 12, 2012, at his home surrounded by family.
A memorial service will be held 11:00 Saturday at Munden Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Ken Cash officiating.
Gene was born on Valentine's Day, 1941 in Kinston. His parents were William and Susie Tripp Gray.
Gene began his career after attending engineering school in
Atlanta, GA, by working at Channel 9 in Greenville for seven years.He then joined Carl Venters and purchased radio station WFAG/WRQR, "Watching Farmville Area Grow". Gene later changed it to WGHB when he increased the power and went into business with Steve Hardy which then became Gray Hardy Broadcasting. He was past owner of Sunny Shores Real Estate in Pine Knoll Shores, part ownerof AGF Leasing of Morehead City, and past co-owner of Frank and Clara's Restaurant and Lounge in Indian Beach, as well as past sports engineer for the ECU Pirate Football Network.
Gene was a brilliant musical talent, as was evidenced by his well known band, "The Impalas", which was a favorite group from 1966 to 1970. Gene played the saxphone and with the other band members, recorded the popular single, "Girls Girls Girls," which featured, "Gentle on My Mind" on the flip side with Gene performing a sax solo.
After moving to Atlantic Beach in the early 90's, he purchased Sunny 96.3 radio station with his business partner Frank Styers.Together, they went on to purchase 103.7 in Greenville and to create the Hot FM 96.3 and 103.7 radio stations.
Gene's professional and community contributions included his membership in the North Carolina Association of Broadcasters: the National Association of Broadcasters: Farmville Rotary: Young Jaycee's: Pitt County Chamber of Commerce: and past President of Carteret County Chamber of Commerce. He received the Small Business Person of the Year Award from Carteret County, and was Master of Ceremonies for the Big Rock Blue Marlin tournament. Gene's distinctive voice was heard at many events in Carteret County.
Gene married his "Angel on Earth" Nadia Jones Gray, and together, they blended their loving families.
Left to cherish his memory include his wife of 10 years Nadia: two daugthers Gina Gray and friend Allison Styron of Beaufort, Tori Ange and husband Darrell of Greenville: step daughter Ashley and husband Eric Creviston of Greensboro: step son Tom Sellers of Burlington: four grandchildren Jessica Creviston, Jillian Sellers, AJ Ange, and Jakob Ange: faithful four-legged companion, Mitzi Gray, his Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: also surviving sister Sue Fornes and husband Bob of Ayden.
He was preceded in death by his parents William and Susie Tripp Gray, and sister Clarice Riggans.
A visitation will be 6:00-8:00 Friday at Munden Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made Carteret County Hospice 3500 Arendell St. Morehead City, NC 28557.
A memorial service will be held 11:00 Saturday at Munden Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Ken Cash officiating.
Gene was born on Valentine's Day, 1941 in Kinston. His parents were William and Susie Tripp Gray.
Gene began his career after attending engineering school in
Atlanta, GA, by working at Channel 9 in Greenville for seven years.He then joined Carl Venters and purchased radio station WFAG/WRQR, "Watching Farmville Area Grow". Gene later changed it to WGHB when he increased the power and went into business with Steve Hardy which then became Gray Hardy Broadcasting. He was past owner of Sunny Shores Real Estate in Pine Knoll Shores, part ownerof AGF Leasing of Morehead City, and past co-owner of Frank and Clara's Restaurant and Lounge in Indian Beach, as well as past sports engineer for the ECU Pirate Football Network.
Gene was a brilliant musical talent, as was evidenced by his well known band, "The Impalas", which was a favorite group from 1966 to 1970. Gene played the saxphone and with the other band members, recorded the popular single, "Girls Girls Girls," which featured, "Gentle on My Mind" on the flip side with Gene performing a sax solo.
After moving to Atlantic Beach in the early 90's, he purchased Sunny 96.3 radio station with his business partner Frank Styers.Together, they went on to purchase 103.7 in Greenville and to create the Hot FM 96.3 and 103.7 radio stations.
Gene's professional and community contributions included his membership in the North Carolina Association of Broadcasters: the National Association of Broadcasters: Farmville Rotary: Young Jaycee's: Pitt County Chamber of Commerce: and past President of Carteret County Chamber of Commerce. He received the Small Business Person of the Year Award from Carteret County, and was Master of Ceremonies for the Big Rock Blue Marlin tournament. Gene's distinctive voice was heard at many events in Carteret County.
Gene married his "Angel on Earth" Nadia Jones Gray, and together, they blended their loving families.
Left to cherish his memory include his wife of 10 years Nadia: two daugthers Gina Gray and friend Allison Styron of Beaufort, Tori Ange and husband Darrell of Greenville: step daughter Ashley and husband Eric Creviston of Greensboro: step son Tom Sellers of Burlington: four grandchildren Jessica Creviston, Jillian Sellers, AJ Ange, and Jakob Ange: faithful four-legged companion, Mitzi Gray, his Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: also surviving sister Sue Fornes and husband Bob of Ayden.
He was preceded in death by his parents William and Susie Tripp Gray, and sister Clarice Riggans.
A visitation will be 6:00-8:00 Friday at Munden Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made Carteret County Hospice 3500 Arendell St. Morehead City, NC 28557.
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