Carlton Gray Passes Away
Carlton H. Gray passed away on Thursday, January 14, 2021, at the age of 81 years and 9 months. He was born at home in Steadman, Oklahoma on March 21, 1939 to James Aron and Pauline Weda (Franks) Gray.
Carlton attended many different local schools but spent his high school years at Byng and graduated from Horace Mann in 1958. On his first day of school at Byng in the 8 th grade, Carlton first caught sight of his lifelong soulmate, Prestlene Ainsworth. They courted throughout high school and were married on June 22, 1957. Their oldest son, James (Jim) was born the following year and a second son, Carl completed the family. During their golden years Carlton and Prestlene also raised their granddaughter Caitlin.
Carlton retired from Peoples Electric Coop (PEC) in 2001 after 43 years of dedicated service. He was also a licensed electrician and cattle rancher. His passion in life was working the land and caring for his cattle. Carlton was also a 32 nd degree Mason at Allen Masonic Lodge #81.
Carlton was an active member of Stonewall Baptist Church and had previously belonged to Lovelady Baptist Church and Freewill Baptist Church in Ada.
Carlton was preceded in death by his parents Aron and Pauline; his sister Winna Jo Wilmer; and brothers Johnathan and Richard (Pete) Gray.
Survivors include one sister Earlene McDonald of Ada; his wife Prestlene of the home; son James (Jim) of Odessa, Florida, and son Carl W. of Blanchard, Oklahoma; six granddaughters, Lelsi Gray, Grapevine, Texas, Kelsi Martinez, Spring, Texas, Staci Gray, Shreveport, Louisiana, Caitlin Gray, Muskogee, Oklahoma, Alix Gray, Noble, Oklahoma and Leah Gray, Blanchard, Oklahoma; and his three great-grandchildren are Emma, Grant and Jay Martinez.
Carlton will be buried at Allen Cemetery near his mother, father and many of the other Gray family. Covid-19 is responsible for the premature loss of our father and he would not want to expose others to this insidious disease. Therefore, we will schedule a celebration of his life when it is safe to congregate.