Jon Preston Gray

Jon Preston Gray was born on November 23, 1940, in Jackson, Mississippi, to John Gray and Estella Dillard. He passed away on June 11, 2020, in Richardson, Texas. 

Upon graduation from high school, Jon went on to attend Jackson State University where he earned a bachelor's degree in English Literature. He also earned a master's degree in English Literature from Colorado State University. He taught English at the high school level in Clarksdale, Mississippi, before relocating to Boulder, Colorado. He worked as a social worker in Denver, Colorado. 

In 1962, he married Dorothy J. (Gray) Polk. To their union, three beautiful daughters were nurtured and loved. In 1982, Jon relocated to Texas where he continued his career as an English as a Second Language (ESL) professor at Brookhaven Community College in Dallas. 

Jon had many interests, including Formula One racing, reading any and all books, and guns. He was an avid tennis player, master chess player, and sports car enthusiast; he collected  model sports cars. He also had an affinity for Asian art and enjoyed serving as a tour guide at the Crow Museum of Asian Art.

Affectionately regarded as "Bunny",  Jon will be fondly remembered as a renaissance genius who was kind, generous, and remarkably knowledgeable. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, John Gray and Estelle Dillard; brother, Reginald Gray; and niece, Lisa Gray. Those left to cherish lasting memories include his daughters: Leszlie Beumer-Gray, Ashleyn Lane (Al), and Hilaire Gray; the mother of his daughters, Dorothy J. (Gray) Polk; grandchildren: Destin Gray, Darolyn Gray, Rashaad Boyd, Asha Boyd, and Dorrian Gray; great-grandchild, Landen Brown; siblings, Ricky Gray (Gail) and Elsie Gray; and a host other relatives and friends. 

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