BORN

1938

DIED

2017

FUNERAL HOME

Kingwood Funeral Home

22800 Highway 59 North

Kingwood, Texas

Vernie Mikels Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Aug. 23, 2010.

Jesse "Mac" Gray, Jr., born September 15, 1942 in Memphis, TN, died suddenly August 21, 2010 in Kingwood, TX. Mac graduated from Rice University in 1966 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. He went on to enjoy a 44 year career with Texaco and Shell Oil companies, retiring from Shell May 1, 2010. Mac loved his family and life; especially golf, traveling, photography, cooking and eating our aat superb restaurants. He professed his faith in the Baptist Church at an early age. Mac is survived by his wife, Shirley Gray; daughter, Melissa Gray; and sons, David and Jeremy Gray. Visitation will be 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, August 25, 2010. Funeral Services will be 11:00 A.M. Thursday, August 26, 2010, followed by interment in Calvary Hill Cemetery, Aldine Westfield Rd., Humble, TX. For those desiring, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Houston Human Society, 14700 Almeda Rd., Houston, TX: www.houstonhumane.o

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September 12, 2010

Sandy Dear

It was such a joy to know Mac on all levels. He was a gentleman with integrity, honesty, and a sense of compassion and conviction. His sense of humor was as unique as his laugh was. I will cherish many memories and will miss him always. Sandy Dear (Spring, TX)

August 27, 2010

Dear Shirley, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Mac. I know words can't even begin to bring solace to Mac's sudden and devasting departure. It's heartbreaking that one of the nicest persons I know should have to endure such heartache. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

My mother, who lost my father unexpectedly in the same manner, was emotionally upset on hearing about your loss...one of her favorite dealers. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

p.s. I thought he was perturbed with me beating him out of the Texas A&M santa hat in the white elephant exchange at a previous dealer Christmas party. I now find out that he was a Rice graduate. (And I felt bad about taking that hat for the last couple of years thinking he was an Aggie.)

August 27, 2010

Charlie Harris

I worked for Mac at Shell Trading, I really appreciated his honesty and concern. I remember he asked me about Australia, since my wife is Australian and we've traveled there several times. I told him it took a long time to get there but it was worth the trip. He informed me later that he had gone there with his wife, just before he retired, and really enjoyed his visit. I was sorry to hear about Mac's passing. He will be missed.

August 25, 2010

David Cole

What a shock this past Sunday when I received one of the E-mails circulating about Mac’s untimely death!. And the sadness of his death, so soon after retiring from 44 years of work, having so little time to enjoy retirement!.

My friendship and association with Mac goes back 38+ years. The summer of 1972, between Junior and Senior year at Lehigh University, I was a co-op student working at Texaco’s Eagle Point Refinery in New Jersey, when Mac and Shirley moved up to Cherry Hill, NJ from Houston, for Mac to take his assignment as Staff Engineer in the Process Department. I returned to Lehigh at the end of the summer, saw Mac several times that fall while he was recruiting on campus, and went out and had dinner with him while he was in Bethlehem. In the spring of 1973 Mac followed up, confirming the offer of a full-time job that I had received the previous summer. I reported to work in August of 1973, by which time Mac had moved into the job of Chief Process Engineer, and for the next 3+ years worked for the BEST BOSS of my entire working career.

Many people have alluded to some of Mac’s personal traits, but I saw all of them during that time period. First, and foremost, was Mac’s concern for people and their families. He genuinely cared about people, offering to help when possible. He fulfilled the role of a tremendous mentor to me, always telling me what needed to be done, but never telling me how to do it, unless I asked him specifically for help - that was a large contribution toward my development in my formative early years at Texaco, for which I am tremendously and forever grateful. I have fond memories of many nights and weekends out in Eagle Point Plant, covering unit startups, shutdowns, catalyst regenerations, etc, with Mac there to help me out as needed. When it came to technical issues, Mac was one of the smartest bosses I ever worked for - he had a vast amount of knowledge and put it into practice all the time. Another trait that I appreciated was his adherence and commitment to what he believed to be correct - there was no changing his mind just to meet somebody else’s expectations when the wind changed direction. I saw first-hand Mac’s sense of humor, both as an instigator and on the recipient end of practical jokes. Outside of work, we often played bridge, and his spectacular golf game frequently supplemented his income, begrudgingly at my expense. I will say that I hadn’t seen the picture of “Mac of Arabia” until viewing it on this web site, but had I known I would have discussed it with him.

As Mac and I moved on to other assignments with Texaco, the Alliance companies, and finally Shell, I would often run into him while on the road, especially in Bakersfield and Los Angeles refineries; we would sit and reminisce about the early days together at Eagle Point and get to the current business at hand, but only after he found out what was going on with my family and me. After I semi-retired at the end of 2006, I still got over to Two Houston Center occasionally and made a point to visit an old friend; the discussion always started out with how my family was doing.

Unfortunately, I can’t be with Mac’s family and friends on Thursday to pay my respects in person. I am in Denver all week on one of my consulting assignments, and won’t be home till late Friday night.

Shirley, Melissa, David, & Jeremy - Sharon and I offer our deepest condolences on your personal loss. I know that Mac meant a lot to each of you, as a husband and a father, just as he did to those of us who were blessed with the opportunity to have crossed paths with him. While he may no longer be physically with us, the ideals and standards that he set and lived with during his lifetime will endure as his personal legacy, and will keep him in our hearts and memories for the rest of our lives. May God Bless you and answer each of your prayers in this time of need. If there is anything that we can do, please let me know.

August 25, 2010

Sonia Blankenship

Mac was my boss at Shell for a number of yrs, he was kind, and care about his people, he guided me and helped me advance in my career. We enjoyed eating Cuban food at lunch many times and talked about his love to travel and experiences abroad. This is a sad time for all of us who knew him, he will forever be rememebered and respected for the man he was. My deespest condolences to the Gray family. May God Bless you and guide you during this time of sorrow.

August 25, 2010

Henry Triplett

I had the pleasure of working briefly with Mac when our paths crossed in the Shell Marine Department and I always remembered him as one of the finest managers that I had encountered during my tenure at Shell. He was one of truly kind and decent human beings that set such a high standard for the rest of us to emulate. May the Lord bless the family during this time of grief.

August 25, 2010

Warren Tate

My association with Mac began over 40 years ago at the old Eagle Point Refinery, and our paths crossed many times over the ensuing years. Mac will be fondly remembered by all of us whose lives he touched over his long career. Judy and I extend our condolences to Shirley and the family.

August 25, 2010

Carolyn Clements

Mac was my colleague at Shell for several years; but more importantly, he was my good friend. He was very thoughtful of others and was always willing to give guidance whether it was work related or personal. He loved sharing pictures and stories of his vacations with Shirley. He truly was a gentleman and will be missed by all that had the pleasure of knowing him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. May your fond memories always keep him close in your hearts.

August 24, 2010

TO THE MAC GRAY FAMILY, I EXPRESS MY DEEPS SYMPATHY AT THIS VERY DIFFERCULT AND PAINFUL TIME. PLEASE READ PSALMS 37;11 MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU. A WINCHER. HOUSTON,TX.

August 24, 2010

Steve Vizner

When we heard of Mac's passing we immediately thought back many years to our days at Eagle Point. There are many memories from those days, from work itself to Mac trying to teach us to play bridge to the social events. He will certainly be missed by my wife and myself.

August 24, 2010

We are shocked and deeply saddened at the loss of Mac Gray. Ginger and I have been friends with Mac and Shirley since our early days at Texaco, starting in 1966. Our paths took us in different directions over the years, but the friendship always remained. We extend our deepest sympathy to Shirley and all of the Gray family.

Carl and Ginger Holland

August 24, 2010

Bob Pease

Mac taught me, challenged me, and encouraged me more than any other person in my professional life. He was also the best travel companion and a trusted advisor for nearly 30 years. He was brilliant and insightful. Yet, for all he achieved in his professional career, he will certainly be remembered most for his character and for how he treated everyone. I am deeply saddened by his passing, but blessed to have been a part of his life. I have so many wonderful memories that I will carry all my days. Shirley, David, Jeremy and Melissa, Terri and I send our most sincere sympathy for your loss.

August 24, 2010

Jay Turner

May the LORD bestow his grace upon your entire family at this difficult time.

August 24, 2010

Reagan Sides

Shirley, Kirby and I send you and your family all our love and sympathy.

August 24, 2010

Shirley, we send you and your family all our love and sympathy.
Reagan and Kirby

August 24, 2010

Rickey Boyd

My heartfelt condolence to the entire Gray family. My prayers are with you in this time of sorrow.

August 24, 2010

My condolences to the family of Mac Gray. He will be remembered fondly.

August 24, 2010

E Goree

To the Gray family. I express my deepest sympathy at this very painful and difficult time. please find comfort in reading Isaih 25:8. My prayers are with the family.

August 24, 2010

Kelly Soudelier

I worked closely with Mac in Shell Trading. His caring personality and contagious laugh will certainly be missed!! He taught me many things about the business - and was always willing to help whenever he could. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you during this time.

August 24, 2010

Jacqueline Parks

To the family of Mr. Gray. We will miss Mr. Gray. I did not know he had retired. I hope all of the good memories will sustain you during this time of bereavement.

August 24, 2010

Laura Meyer

August 24, 2010

Roger Van Duzer

It was my pleasrue to know and work at one time for Mac. He was a sincere professional with a quick smile and clever wit. I always considered Mac an honary "Mariner". His time with the mariners was brief in terms of his overall career - but, in his heart, he was one of us. We all deeply respected Mac and appreciated his genuine passion for those who move oil by water. My thoughts are with his family and friends who have been left behind.

August 24, 2010

Bob Holland

I was shocked and saddened to hear about the passing of Mac. I had the distinct pleasure of working directly for him for 8 years at Shell Trading. Without a doubt he was my best boss in my 34 year career. He was witty, fun loving, strong in business and had a great sense of humor. His big grin and laugh were worth the price of admission when interacting with him. But most of all Mac was a sincere gentleman that really cared about the well-being of his co-workers and not just the bottom line. Guys like him don't come around that often and I feel very fortunate I got to know him not only as a co-worker but as a friend.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Shirley and his entire family in this tough time and that his legacy will live on through all the folks that cared about him.

August 24, 2010

Shirley Busch-Otto

I had the privilege of working with Mac on several occasions over the last 12 years. He was a pleasure to work with, funny, insightful, respectful, and most of all, a willing mentor and coach to many. He had the rare ability to act as mediator and bring people together on many issues, while treating everyone with respect. To all of the Gray family, my sincere sympathy on your loss.

August 24, 2010

Bob Holland

I had the pleasure to work directly for Mac for 8 years at Shell Trading. He was without a doubt the best boss in my 34 year career. He was witty, fun loving, strong in business and had a great sense of humor. His big grin and laugh was worth the price of admission when interacting with him. But most of all Mac, was a kind gentleman that was really concerned about the well-being of employees, not just the bottom line. His integrity and dedication was second to none and that's wht I held him in such high esteem.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Shirley and his family in this tough time as he will be missed greatly. Guys like him don't come around that often and I feel very fortunate to have had him as a boss and a friend.

August 24, 2010

Jack Bodman

I am so sorry to hear of Mac's passing and my sincere condolences and prayers go out to Mac's immediate and extended family. Mac was an integral part of my career as I worked with Mac off and on for over 30 years at Texaco and Shell. He was always a great mentor and friend and is truly one of the great men I've had the pleasure to meet and work with. He retired and left before I could say goodbye and now comes the time we say I'll see you later.

August 24, 2010

Dianne Swiber

I was so sorry to hear about the loss of Mac and my heart goes out to the entire Gray family during this very difficult time. I am a Shell colleague and had the pleasure of sitting next to Mac at a luncheon shortly before he retired. I will always remember him as a kind and intelligent man. I pray that God will surround you all with the healing power of His love now and always.

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