Theodore Gray Obituary

Theodore Flint Gray Jr.

February 25, 1939 -

November 22, 2025

KINGSPORT - Theodore Flint Gray Jr., 86, died peacefully with his family by his side at his home in Kingsport, Tennessee on November 22, 2025, of pancreatic cancer. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather, a caring leader, provider and role model for our family, and the home and life he and Dottye built was idyllic. We are blessed and thankful that he lived 86 healthy and active years until just recent weeks, and we will miss him greatly.

He was born February 25, 1939, and raised in Anniston, Alabama, the only son of the late T. Flint Gray Sr. and Alice Roebuck Gray, and worked summers at the family's funeral home, Gray Brown-Service Mortuary. He graduated from Indian Springs High School in Birmingham, Alabama, then Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, where he played football, was President of his Sigma Chi Fraternity and earned the Balfour award. He met his wife of 65 years, Dottye Benkert Gray, at Centre; and went on to earn a Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of Florida, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa. At Eastman Chemical Company in Kingsport, Tennessee he was awarded numerous patents as he rose to positions of Director of Polymer Research, and Director of Emerging Technology, before retiring in 1998.

He was a perfectionist, always organized, methodical and meticulous. His upbringing in a small town in Alabama instilled in him southern manners, a strong work ethic, and a love for his community. He was active in his church, and at many civic organizations, highlighted by his work in the Lions Club; as a charter member and chairman of the de Tocqueville Society; and his instrumental leadership in establishing the Kingsport YMCA.

He also loved sports and was a lifelong tennis player, confounding his opponents with unusual spins.

While slightly less proficient at golf, he was an avid player, enjoying the game when not frustrated by it, and finally enjoyed a hole-in-one in 2024. After retirement, he and Dottye spent winters at Johns Island in Vero Beach, Florida, and summer weekends at Hound Ears Club in North Carolina, but Kingsport was always home, where he and Dottye have had a wonderful circle of friends for whom they are thankful.

He is survived by his wife, Dottye; his sons Flint Gray III (Lisa) of Boone, NC and Brett Gray of Atlanta, GA, and daughter Holly Schnizer (Richard) of Clifton, VA; and grandchildren: Alex, Julianne, Andrew and Justin; Lucy and Emily; Matthew, Christopher, and Peter.

The family would like to express thanks to Betty Salyers; to Zee and her team; and to neighbors, and for the kind and professional efforts of the oncology team at Ballad Cancer Center.

Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, November 26, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, Kingsport with Rev. Russ Pearson and Rev. Sharon Amstutz officiating. The family will receive friends following the funeral service.

Graveside services will be held on Friday, November 28, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. at Highland Cemetery, Anniston, Alabama with The Rev. David Hodett officiating.

Memorials may be made to the Kingsport YMCA, the First Presbyterian Church of Kingsport, the Ballad Health Foundation (for assistance to cancer patients in need), or the Gray-Benkert Centre College Scholarship fund.

Please visit www.hamlettdobson.com to leave an online condolence for the family.