John A. Gray Jr

John Arthur “Pawpaw” Gray Jr., 79, of Dunlap, TN, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at CHI Memorial in Chattanooga while courageously battling cancer.

John proudly served his country in the United States Army as a Vietnam Veteran. Following his service, he dedicated more than 30 years to his career as a yardmaster with Norfolk Southern before retiring in 2006.

A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and family man, John was a strong and loving pillar of the Gray family. The only son among seven children, he was known for his caring nature, sense of humor, and nurturing spirit. Family was his greatest joy, and he lived his life centered around those he loved most.

He was preceded in death by his daughters, Teresa Gray Holland and Tammy Gray Rothwell; parents, John Gray Sr. and Margaret McKaig Gray; granddaughter, Kayla Rothwell; and sisters, Geraldine Gray Stephens, Margaret Dodson, Zelpha Gossett, Linda Eaker, and Charlotte Gray.

Left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife of 59 years, Peggy Gray; his daughter, Tina Gray Campbell; his grandchildren, Tyler and Meagan Hitchcox, Brandon Gray Holland, Sebastian Rothwell, and Davey McGinnis II; his sister, Betty Abbott; and extended family and many friends.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, August 31, 2025, in the Larry Moore Memorial Chapel of Moore Funeral Home, Trenton, GA. John will be laid to rest at Hawkins Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday, August 30, from 2:00 PM until 6:00 PM, and again on Sunday from 12:00 PM until the service at 2:00.