Mr. John M. Gray, 81, of Hartwell, passed away Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at AnMed Medical Center, Anderson SC.

Born on August 4, 1944 in Atlanta Ga, he was the son of the late James Michael Gray and Hildragard Ogi Gray.  Mr. Gray graduated from the University of Georgia with a BS in Agriculture and later graduated Georgia Tech with a BS in Civil Engineering. John was born and raised in Atlanta where he owned Gray Contracting & Grading. Some of his proudest accomplishments were working on the Atlanta Falcons training field, the Dallas Cowboy field, and the beginning of John's Creek Tech Park. Gray Contracting was also commissioned by Atlanta Fulton County to build the first motocross racing track in the Atlanta Fulton County Stadium.

Mr. Gray's favorite hobbies were working in the yard, flowers and cooking. John also enjoyed traveling and spending time on the Gulf Coast with his family.

Survivors include his wife, Sherrie Goodson Gray, who he married in 2009; one son: Mike Gray of Rockmart GA; one daughter: Karen Davis of Atlanta GA and a grandson: Cody Denson.

Mr. Gray wished to be cremated and the family will have a private memorial service in the future.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 1720 Epps Bridge Pkwy, Ste. 108-383, Athens, GA 30606, or to the Hart County Humane Society, P.O. Box 1062, Hartwell, GA 30643.

The Strickland Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Hartwell is in charge of all arrangements.