Al Gray

It is with a heavy heart that Norma and Lisa Gray announce that Al Gray passed away from a brief illness from a stroke he had in June. Al fought with all he had to stay here on earth with Norma and Lisa but his body peacefully went to his heavenly home on January 26, 2024. 

Al was born and raised in Bossier City Louisiana and spent his whole life there and never had a desire to live anywhere else. As much as Al loved family vacations every year with Norma and Lisa he also looked forward to coming home to Bossier City, his forever home! 

Al is preceded in death by his mother Ruby Lee Baker Thibodeaux and his grandmother Emma Mae Baker who proudly raised him on her own. Al is survived by his wife Norma Lee Underwood Gray who he met in 1962 and married in 1964 and his daughter Lisa Lee Gray who was their greatest gift of all. Al's three strongest loves in his life were his grandmother who he lovingly referred to as "Bigmama" his wife Norma who he referred lovingly to as "his dumpling" and his daughter Lisa who he referred to lovingly as "WBD" world's best daughter. Al loved Norma and Lisa immensely and was a very proud protective devoted and loyal husband and daddy. 

Al went to Bossier High School and loved attending each and every reunion they had after graduating in 1959. Al worked for ICG KCS and Mid-South Railroads for 42 years. He was a conductor and switchmen and truly loved his work. He had always had a passion for railroads and trains since he was a young boy. Anytime he went out of town or on vacation he would stop and tour any railroad or trains he came upon while traveling. Some of his fondest working memories were when Lisa would bring her friends to the Railroad and he would take them for rides on the engine. Al also proudly served in the Air Force Reserves for six years before deciding to work for the railroad full time. Al was an avid animal lover from a young age he would bring strays home and try to help them and keep them and that love and respect for animals stayed all through his life. One of Al's greatest pastimes was sitting outside and feeding possums, birds, squirrels, or any other animal that was fortunate enough to come upon him. He had pets his whole life and we know he is in heaven reunited with them right now. Al also had three personal family fur babies whom he cherished, and they adored him. Whether he was writing as he would daily in one of his many journals, watching tv, or just surfing the internet he usually had one of his furbabies in his lap or beside him. He used to say all animals deserve four things a name, a human, a home, and love. 

Al was a very well liked, honorable, kind, compassionate man who was full of integrity and man of his word and had a great sense of humor. He made many laugh with his sense of humor that only he had that made him so unique. Al was very strong in his faith and attended Bossier City First Church of God for over 33 years and loved the Sunday and weekly fellowship he had with the Church and his Church family. Al had a larger than life heart when it came to Norma,Lisa and his faith. Al had many friends but just a handful that he truly cherished and trusted. Al used to say all the time how much he enjoyed having conversations with so many and would always give this advice and say the way to have a good conversation is to always stay strong with your beliefs and opinions and proudly express them but also always make sure to respect and listen to others opinions even when they differ from yours and he would add if those that had the conversation that had different views can agree to disagree and respect the others opinions even when they differ then those two people have had a good conversation and probably learned something from the other. 

Al's best friend of 72 years was Dale Chandler who all knew as "Gab" his love and loyalty for him was strong and those two didn't miss a single day without keeping in touch. Randy Payne, who Al called "dog" is Al's second best friend for over 30 years. Dale and Randy both had a special bond with Al and he considered both family. Al will always be remembered as a man of integrity a man of faith a man of humor and love for the spoken word and a man that truly loved living a life where the simple things meant the most, his health his friends his pets his faith his word and what he truly loved the most of all was a life filled with memories with Norma,his dumpling and Lisa,his wbd.  Norma and Lisa want to thank all the nurses therapists and doctors at WK and Garden Court Rehab for their  kindness shown toward Al. Norma and Lisa want to add a special thanks to Shannon Carl who was Al's Speech pathologist and had a special way of making her sessions with Al the ones he looked forward because not only her talent & skills but she has such a wonderful personality and attitude. Shannon also went above and beyond to keep in touch with Lisa daily even after Al came home. 

In leu of flowers Norma and Lisa ask that if you donate in Al's memory please do so to one of his favorite charities. He believed deeply in donating to local animal charities and rescue centers. He also donated to the local homeless  centers and if you choose to do so it is greatly appreciated by Norma and Lisa Gray. 

Please share a thought or a memory or a photo of Al as any words or thoughts shared will be greatly appreciated as Norma and Lisa would love to read all of the words that are shared about him.