Christopher Mark Gray

Christopher M. Chris Gray of Mesa passed away on August 30, 2014 after a long battle with cancer. Chris was born on June 4, 1948 in Phoenix, Arizona to parents William and Jacqueline Gray. Chris was a 1966 graduate of Camelback High School. He was awarded a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Arizona State University in 1970. In 1973, he was awarded a Master of Education from Arizona State University. He was an elementary school teacher in the Madison School District. After teaching, he was a counselor in the Phoenix Union District for 26 years. Upon his retirement, Chris was able to concentrate on his hobbies full time. One of those hobbies was breeding, raising, and showing champion Abyssinian cats under the cattery name "DaBlues Abyssinians". Chris was a Golden Eagle member of the NRA, as well as a member of the Smith and Wesson Collector's Association. Chris was an enthusiastic fan of the ASU Sun Devils, having been a football season ticket holder for many, many years, and was a life member of the ASU Alumni Association. His love of collecting pre-war Lionel model trains was also well known by folks from coast to coast. Chris is survived by his wife Cindy Gray of Mesa, stepson Jim Duke Debby of Queen Creek, grandchildren Delaney Duke and Jason Duke, brother Tim Gray of Virginia, and nieces Jackie Mielfieth and Linde Crone. Chris is predeceased by his parents Bill and Jackie Gray. A celebration of Chris' life will be held in October with details to come. Please check the Chris Gray Memorial Page on Facebook for information and details as it becomes available. If above link doesn't work, please visit http://tinyurl.com/n4ap2vb to get to the Facebook page.