Gray Gilbert James

Gray Gilbert James passed away on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at Garnet Health Medical Center. He was the widower of Gloria James. They shared 54 years of marriage together. Gray was born in Los Angeles, California. He was the son of Gray James Sr and Frederee James Ray. He graduated from Rice High School in Harlem, New York, and went on to work at General Motors for over 30 years as an auto inspector. Gray attended Christian Faith Fellowship Family Church where he gave his life to Jesus Christ. He was also baptized there in 2009. Some of his favorite things to do were watching football and TCM movies, listening to smooth jazz, and cooking Sunday dinner for his family. Gray will be remembered for his tireless work ethic and commitment to his family. He was an energetic man who prided himself on completing hands-on projects around the house. Gray had a passion for and deep knowledge of auto engineering. He also loved trivia, history and watching Jeopardy. A social butterfly, Gray enjoyed being around friends and hosting gatherings. Gray is survived by his three children: his daughter Sharon Gillis and her husband Frank, his sons Aaron and Michael James, as well as his two grandchildren, Tangel and Sean McFadden. He is predeceased by his wife Gloria James and his brother Winston Ray. A memorial luncheon will be held in his honor on August 11, 2024, at 2:00pm at 8 Euclid Ave in Middletown, NY. Cherished Memories: Daddy it's difficult for me to accept the fact that when I get to the top of the stairs in your house, I won't see you sitting in your chair watching CNN and warning me that a war is coming to our country and to have my passport ready to exit. When I walk into your bedroom in the afternoon and find you napping, I will no longer be able to gently rub your arm and say, "daddy I'm here. "I won't be hearing stories of your interesting childhood anymore. There will be no more shared tea times or special Sunday treats that I would get for you from Dunkin Donuts. Gone are the days when I hear you yell as I'm leaving to remember to buy your lottery tickets because you think you have a winner this time. Daddy you will always be in my heart. I'll miss and cherish our sweet times together watching TCM movies during my visits with you. I'll miss your smile, laugh and sense of humor. I will always remember the wisdom and advice that you have passed on to me throughout my life. Thank you for your overabundance of hugs, kisses, and love. Enjoy your rest in the arms of Jesus. Bye for now, but not forever. Give mom a hug and kiss for me Papa, I have such sweet and vivid memories of you from when I was a child; too many to write about all-in-one day. But as I sit down to write a final goodbye in your honor, I’d like to highlight some of my favorite memories of you. I can still see you sitting in the living room in “your chair” watching a ball game or jeopardy. I can still hear you talking back to the players in exasperation if they made a bad play or answered a question wrong. I can still feel the hugs and kisses you openly gave to me, and I can still remember how you always welcomed my questions and curiosities about one topic or another. While you had a strong, serious side to you, you also had a playful, silly side that always made me laugh until my belly ached. I will always cherish these special memories of you. Thank you for your unconditional love, care, protection and support. I’ll miss you until we meet again. I love you. Rest in peace. Love, Tangel My grandfather was my first and most consistent male role model. I credit him for sparking my interest in cars and teaching me life skills like how to replace a screen, how to mow a lawn, and how to clean a house thoroughly while listening to smooth jazz, Toni Braxton, or Anita Baker. To this day, I’ll sometimes throw on some Toni or Anita, for the nostalgia. Although sometimes I felt that he was hard on me, I know that he had my best interests at heart, and looking back, I appreciate his contributions to my foundational life lessons. Papa, I’ll miss you, and I promise to make at least one trip to Hawaii, in your honor. Rest well. I love you. Of all the accolades I could bestow upon my father-in-law, I believe his greatest accomplishment was to co-create a magnificent masterpiece that now goes by the name of Sharon Gillis. A husband, a provider, a father-daddy, but most importantly a child of the Most High. Rest in peace and for now.... we'll say goodbye

Gray Gilbert James

October 18, 1934 - July 20, 2024