H. Rhea Gray

H. Rhea Gray 83, of Bonita Springs died Tuesday, June 17, 2014 at Joanne’s House at Hope Hospice. Rhea began wintering in Bonita Springs in 1988 and moved permanently here in 1995, coming from Chicago, IL. He was born December 31, 1930 in Memphis, TN a son of the late Harvey and Jessie Jane (née Anderson) Gray, Sr. During his childhood, his family moved around often since his father was a traveling minister. They eventually settled in Chattanooga, TN where Rhea graduated from Central High School. He attended Baylor University where he received his B.A. degree. He then went on to Southern Baptist Theological Seminary earning his Ph.D. in Pastoral Counseling. His post-doctoral studies in Counseling Psychology and Business Management were done at the University of Texas and the Harvard Graduate School of Business. He later received his 2nd Ph.D. from the McCormick Theological Seminary in Organizational Behavior and Development. He was an ordained Baptist Minister serving as Pastor at the Lynn Acres Baptist Church in Louisville, KY and the Lake Shore Baptist Church in Waco, TX. From 1968 through 1978 he had his own private practice of Psychotherapy in Palatine, Il, and from 1975 through 1995 he owned H.R.G. Associates, a management and organizational development consultant business in Chicago, IL. After moving to Bonita Springs he served as the Director for the Center for Pastoral Counseling and Psychotherapy at the Community Congregational Church in Naples. He loved golf and was a Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs and Baylor Bears fan. An avid writer, he would often write articles that he called “Reflections” about current events or issues and email them to his family and friends. He was a loving father who was very involved with his children’s lives. But most of all he spent his life helping other people. He always saw the good in people and cared passionately for the poor and oppressed. He is survived by his loving wife of 29 years, Sharon R. Gray of Bonita Springs; two daughters, Bevan Dee (Stuart) Rogel of Tampa, FL and Dara Jane Gray of Austin, TX; two step-children, David (Gina) Narey of Chicago, IL and John Poole of Minneapolis, MN; 1 grandchild; 7 step-grandchildren and 1 step great grandson. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Harvey Gray, Jr. A service to celebrate his life will be held in the fall and will be announced. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions in his name be made to: H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation, P.O. Box 23827, Tampa, FL 33623. Arrangements are being handled by Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home.

H. Rhea Gray

December 31, 1930 - June 17, 2014