DL Capt. Stephen “Steve” Gray

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Navy veteran, DL Capt. Stephen “Steve” Gray

October 16, 1942 ~ June 12, 2026

 

True to his adventurous spirit, he was in Las Vegas preparing to participate in the Seniors Event of the World Series of Poker when he passed away unexpectedly……………..

Captain Stephen Roberts Gray joined Delta Air Lines 11-27-1972 and was Dallas based.  Steve is survived by his wife Alma, and by his sons and their families.

For those who may wish to send a personal note, whitepages lists the Gray’s address as

355 Tejas Dr E, Hemphill, TX 75948.

 

PCN memorial site

 

https://www.hennekefuneralhome.com/obituaries/Stephen-Roberts-Gray?obId=48740542

Stephen Roberts Gray Obituary

Stephen Roberts Gray, known to family and friends as Steve and to his grandchildren as Pop, passed away unexpectedly in Henderson, Nevada, on June 12, 2026, at the age of 83.

 

Born on October 16, 1942, in Berwyn, Cook County, Illinois, Steve grew up in Duncan, Oklahoma, where he developed a lifelong love of the outdoors. As a Boy Scout and Explorer Scout, he spent countless hours camping, hiking, hunting, and fishing—interests that remained central to his life for more than eight decades. He graduated from Duncan High School in 1960 and attended the University of Oklahoma for two years before answering a call to serve his country by joining the United States Navy.

 

Steve began his naval career as an enlisted sailor. He served as an Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare Technician (AX) with Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Nine (HS-9), the Sea Griffins, flying aboard SH-3A Sea King helicopters in support of the Navy’s anti-submarine warfare mission. After being selected for the Naval Aviation Cadet (NAVCAD) program, he reported for pre-flight training on October 7, 1964. In June 1966, he earned his wings as a Naval Aviator and received his commission as an Ensign in the United States Navy.

 

On July 24, 1966, Steve married the love of his life, Alma Mae Thumann, in Weimar, Texas. Their marriage endured nearly sixty years and served as the foundation for a lifetime of family, adventure, and shared experiences.

 

After completing training in the A-4 Skyhawk, Steve joined Attack Squadron VA-212. During two combat deployments to Vietnam aboard the USS Bon Homme Richard, from 1967 to 1968 and again from 1968 to 1969, he flew more than 250 combat missions and completed more than 300 carrier landings. During his distinguished military career, Steve earned 18 Air Medals, including 17 Strike/Flight Air Medals and one Individual Air Medal, seven Navy Commendation Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, Navy Unit Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross. Following his combat deployments, he served as a flight instructor with VT-25 at Naval Air Station Chase Field in Beeville, Texas, helping train future naval aviators before leaving active duty in 1969 with an Honorable Discharge at the rank of Lieutenant after more than seven years of naval service.

 

Following his active-duty naval service, Steve earned an Associate Degree in Business Administration from Alvin Junior College in 1971 before continuing his aviation career. He first flew as a corporate pilot before joining Delta Air Lines in November 1972. During a distinguished aviation career spanning military, corporate, and airline flying, Steve accumulated more than 24,000 flight hours and flew more than thirty different aircraft types. He retired from Delta Air Lines in October 2002 as a Captain on the Boeing 767ER. Aviation was never merely a profession to Steve—it was a lifelong passion.

 

Steve’s gift for storytelling was legendary among family and friends. Whether recounting combat missions, fishing adventures, airline experiences, or family memories, he had a remarkable ability to bring events to life through vivid detail, humor, and insight. That talent ultimately led him to author Rampant Raider, his memoir of naval aviation and combat service during the Vietnam War, preserving an important chapter of history for future generations.

 

A lifelong learner, Steve was an avid reader who consumed hundreds, perhaps thousands, of books throughout his life. He possessed an extraordinary memory and could effortlessly recall passages of literature, poetry, history, and countless stories accumulated over a lifetime of experience. He enjoyed spirited conversations and never shied away from a debate. Known for his quick wit and colorful sayings, one of his favorite expressions when someone made a mess of things was that they would “make Hogan’s goat look like a precision instrument.”

 

Steve was deeply patriotic and loved his country throughout his life. He believed strongly in the principles upon which the nation was founded and remained engaged in civic affairs, history, and public discourse. He held firm convictions, welcomed spirited debate, and never hesitated to stand up for what he believed. While his opinions were often strong, they were grounded in a sincere love of country and a lifelong commitment to service.

 

His commitment to service extended well beyond his own military career. As a Blue and Gold Officer for the United States Naval Academy, Steve mentored and guided countless young men and women through the admissions process. His influence was especially personal within his own family, helping both of his sons earn appointments to the Naval Academy. His son Chad graduated with the Class of 1993, and his son Scott graduated with the Class of 2001, continuing a family tradition of naval service and leadership.

 

Away from aviation, Steve remained deeply connected to the outdoors. In the early 1980s, he and Alma relocated to the Toledo Bend area near Hemphill, Texas, where they built the log home that became the family’s cherished gathering place for decades. Between airline trips, Steve could often be found working on the property, hunting, fishing, or enjoying life on the lake. Toledo Bend provided the perfect setting for the outdoor life he loved and for the friendships he and Alma built through their shared passion for fishing.

 

Steve and Alma also shared a love of travel and adventure. They made countless trips together throughout their nearly sixty years of marriage. Steve was an enthusiastic poker player for more than forty years and relished both the challenge of the game and the friendships it fostered. True to his adventurous spirit, he was in Las Vegas preparing to participate in the Seniors Event of the World Series of Poker when he passed away unexpectedly.

 

Steve came from a family with deep naval roots. His father, Cecil Roberts Gray, served as a gunnery officer aboard USS Gwin (DM-33) during World War II in the Pacific Theater. Inspired by that example, Steve dedicated his own life to service, aviation, and leadership.

 

Whether flying combat missions, building a log home, mentoring future naval officers, writing stories, fishing Toledo Bend, or teaching his grandchildren about life, Steve approached every endeavor with intelligence, determination, humor, and a deep love for family and country.

 

Above all, Steve was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, mentor, and friend. His grandchildren will remember Pop for rides on the boat, days on the lake, shooting on the farm, and the stories and laughter that accompanied every visit.

 

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil Roberts Gray and Johna Faye Cordell Gray.

 

He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly sixty years, Alma Mae Gray; his sister, Cecile Marie Crabtree; his sons, Chad Roberts Gray and wife Natalie Gray, and Scott Thomas Gray and wife Samantha Gray; and his cherished grandchildren, Wyatt Roberts Gray, Levi Arrington Gray, and Sawyer Stephen Richard Gray.

 

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 19, 2026, at Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus, Texas. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at Faith Lutheran Church in Weimar, Texas. Interment will follow at Weimar Masonic Cemetery. A reception will follow at Faith Lutheran Church.

 

Memorials may be given to Parkinson’s Foundation, 5757 Waterford District Dr., Ste 310, Miami, FL 33126, American Diabetes Association, 2400 Augusta Dr. #175, Houston, TX 77057, or the charity of your choice.

 

Fair winds and following seas.