Phillip Harold Gray, Jr.
July 24, 1959 ~ October 15, 2017
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Phillip Harold Gray, Jr., 58, passed away Sunday, October 15th, 2017, at the Charles George VA Medical Center.
Phil was born in Bethlehem, PA, and was a son of the late Phillip Harold Gray, Sr. and Jean Fritchman Gray Wells. He was retired from the US Army, where he spent much of his career in Germany as computer specialist. In his retirement years, he enjoyed riding his motorcycle and travelling to motorcycle rallies and military reunions. He enjoyed helping other veterans and fellow dialysis patients. When he wasn't travelling, he loved spending time at home with his two dogs and his bird.
Surviving are his wife, Evelyn Konopik; daughter, Taunya Dow; and sons, Phillip Harold Gray, III, and Nicholas Gray. He also leaves behind siblings and several nieces and nephews.
The memorial service for Mr. Gray will be held on Friday, October 20, at 3:00 p.m. at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery Chapel, Black Mountain, NC. Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. is assisting the family.
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You take care of yourself way up there and enjoy your choices of Drifters to Ride.
Catch you later Phil.
God Bless Phil thanks for your last minute conversations online, may God care for your soul and bring you endless happiness.
I am so sorry cuz
RIP Phil enjoy the ride now my friend…..
Dear little bother you will be missed. We had one hell of a life with a lot of ups and downs and both lived it to its fullest. Now its your turn to watch over me. May God wrap his arms around your wife and comfort her. Till me meet again
I only knew you from a couple of Drifter rallies, but always enjoyed your company and practicing my German. Ride on, soldier!
I am sorry for your loss,Taunya Dow, he is riding with the angels..May Heavenly Father bless you in your time of sorrow .
rip old buddy ill miss u u were a good friend in bk and thur the yrs yesterday I went to the American legion post 4 we had we had a salute for u buddy I know in my heart while ur in heaven ull be keeping an eye on ur family and ur friends u r very great man if I’m not back there to say good bte buddy the right way I will say it here I will miss u a lot
A good heart has stopped beating, but a heart that has touched so many lives can’t help but live on in those it loved. Those we love don’t go away; they walk beside us in our hearts and memories. Our collective hearts are heavy with sympathy.
Evelyn and Phil’s family and friends Please accept our most heartfelt condolences.
I served with Phil back in the early 80’s in Germany. He and I were great friends and had many of many laughs together, he will truly be missed by all. I thank the good Lord that he allowed me to be one of Phil’s friends in which he had many. The one thing I admired about Phil was you never had to guess what was on his mind. Rock the Marne Philly The Moose
Thoughts and prayers are with all that loved Phil! He truly was a loyal friend , , ,respectful Vet and One of a kind dedicated American! Ride on in eternity my friend! God Bless
keep doing what you always did phil give em hell hope to match your stories when next we meet
Heaven just got a little ornerier. Peace be with you my friend.
My heart is hurting. No one was a better friend to our family.
side by side he sat with my father in dialysis while they both endured the pain together. For five years Phil stayed by my dads side. After my dad passed, Phil got the call he was waiting for, a kidney. He swore that my dad had something to do with it. Maybe so. Phil I will miss you dearly, your trips to see us and that lust for life. You will always be my hero in this life. Fly high and say hey to dad.
My sincerest condolences to his wife and family!! I also served with Phil in BK, FRG back in the mid 1980’s. I got to know him better during recent veteran reunions. A great man and a fellow rider. May he R.I.P.
I am truly sorry for the loss. He was a good man to all. He would help out as much as he can. He will be missed dearly by a lot of friends and family. God bless.
To Evelyn and family
Our sympathy to your family, Phil and I went to High School together, he was always a great friend, in the past 4 years he helped my husband and myself so much with my husbands dialysis journey, he was always there for us no matter how stupid the questions where. We also enjoyed the road to SUPER BOWL #50, a bet he was so certain he was going to win, lol.
You will forever be in our hearts and prayers, God bless, RIP FRIEND
Family, My sincere condolences to all. Phil was my ‘baby’ cousin–the cutest little boy you ever saw. I will miss your conservative opinions vs. my liberal (and right) opinions! You are now with your beloved mother, and so many others that went on before…Ride with the Wind, my cousin and my friend.
Love you, Wendy
God bless and peace be with you Phil . Ride On
Not knowing his sons, I can, nevertheless. say that Mr. Gray’s legacy in his daughter, Taunya Gray Dow, is set now, on earth, and in the eternities…no pressure, boys! If her character is any indication, he set a powerful example, while being an imperfect human…Thanking God for mercy, and for the Atonement, two of the principles which bring Taunya comfort, hope and joy. Her anguish now is a testament to love; he will love you forever, Taunya.
so sorry to the phil gray family. phil was a generous man who was full of life
Godspeed.Phil
I am so heartbroken to hear the news of Phil’s passing. He was a great mentor to me when we served together in Germany (1983-1985). I was in you h with him throughout the years since then and he never eluded that he was Ill. My banter back and forth with him via FB and email with certainty be missed. You were taken from us too soon. RIP my brother.
I am so heartbroken to hear the news of Phil’s passing. He was a great mentor to me when we served together in Germany (1983-1985). I was in touch with him throughout the years since then and he never eluded that he was Ill. My banter back and forth with him via FB and email with certainty be missed. You were taken from us too soon. RIP my brother.
Evelyn- you are in our thoughts and prayers. Take care–Mary Henderson and Dr Andrea Fochios
Phil on behalf of the United States Navy I bid you ‘Fair Winds and Following Seas!’? Drink to the foam brother!
Knew Phil in his Germany years.. condolences to all who knew and cherished him. Many a beer & good times together in our time in Bad Kissingen