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Harry Miller Gray
Harry Miller Gray, 90, of Avon passed peacefully in Nags Head with family by his side. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Barbara; his son-in-law, Thomas Watkins; grandson, Shane Watkins and his wife Kate; and his granddaughter, Shawna Beavers and her husband Evan. He also leaves a great-grandson, Will Mitchell and a great- granddaughter, Kilia Beavers. Harry was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Tanya.
Harry was born and raised in the village of Kinnakeet. He was the son of Osborne Gibb Gray and Annie Williams Gray. He was the brother of Osborne Gray Jr. and Vivian Gray. Harry served aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Mistletoe until honorably discharged. With his partners Sumner Scarborough and Charlie Gray, Harry helped usher in the heyday of commercial fishing in Avon by bringing the first long net rig to the village. It took months to make the net, but when they began fishing with it they brought in larger catches than the local fish house could handle. They found Billy Barcliff of Quality Seafood in Elizabeth City, NC and convinced him to make the investment necessary to handle their loads. Shortly thereafter, to accommodate those loads; they built their own fish house which remained a mainstay of the Avon harbor for decades.
Harry was a mentor to many younger fishermen and respected by his peers as a good man with a wrench and a true waterman. He was a prankster who loved a good joke and a good fib. He loved NASCAR and his animals, especially his cat, Buddy Earl. He was adored by his daughter, Tanya and dearly loved by his wife, Barbara.
The funeral will be held at St. John United Methodist Church of Avon at 3 pm Friday, October 14, 2022. The committal and interment will follow immediately after the funeral service at Scarborough Cemetery. Reverend Gina Miller will be the officiant. Gallop Funeral Services Inc. was entrusted with arrangements. Please share a comforting thought with the family at www.gallopfuneralservices.com.
Condolences
I am so sorry....sending God's comfort.
Harry was a very fine man, and I give my sympathies to all his family and all who knew him.
My dear Barbara, my heart broke for you when I read that Harry had left Earth and continued another leg of his journey. I offer prayers for the repose of his soul, and peaceful hearts for all of those who grieve his leaving.
Our deepest condolences for Thomas Watkins and his family! Our prayers for his wife. Rest In Peace
Dearest Aunt Bobbie & Family, I'm so sorry to hear of Uncle Harry's passing. He was truly the nicest man I ever knew - just like his daughter and my dear cousin Tanya. He will definitely be missed by all. My love, thoughts & prayers are with you at this time.
Ms Barbara and Family Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. Mr Harry was and will alway be remembered as a true Kinnakeet gentleman.
Sorry to hear of Harry's passing. A true Kinnakeeter. Condolences to Barbara and family.
Dear Miss Barbara, My sincerest condolences to you, Tom and all of your family. Deepest Sympathy, Beverly
Ms Barbara and family, so sorry to hear of Harry’s passing. He was such a dear friend to daddy. You all will be in my thoughts and prayers! XOXO
So sorry to hear of Harry passing he was a great man and had a great family.prayers to all
Our prayers go out to the Gray family. Staying at the Outbanks motel for over 30 years, I would alway bring down cookies for Miss Barbara who would assure me that she would give some Harry. Later years I would call and talk to Harry b4 coming down and would let him know that P.O. Box 1 would have cookies in them. The 2 of them were the nicest people I have ever met. Being USCG on the island in the 60s, the Gray's represented the kind, loving people that made up the island. I will pray for your healing but realize Harry is now the his daughter. God bless
Our condolences to Barbara and your family. I know you will miss Harry. Hope you're in good health and doing well..We miss you at the motel on our visits.
I am so sorry….sending God’s comfort.
Harry was a very fine man, and I give my sympathies to all his family and all who knew him.
My dear Barbara, my heart broke for you when I read that Harry had left Earth and continued another leg of his journey. I offer prayers for the repose of his soul, and peaceful hearts for all of those who grieve his leaving.
Our deepest condolences for Thomas Watkins and his family! Our prayers for his wife. Rest In Peace
Dearest Aunt Bobbie & Family,
I’m so sorry to hear of Uncle Harry’s passing. He was truly the nicest man I ever knew – just like his daughter and my dear cousin Tanya. He will definitely be missed by all. My love, thoughts & prayers are with you at this time.
Ms Barbara and Family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. Mr Harry was and will alway be remembered as a true Kinnakeet gentleman.
Sorry to hear of Harry’s passing. A true Kinnakeeter. Condolences to Barbara and family.
Dear Miss Barbara, My sincerest condolences to you, Tom and all of your family. Deepest Sympathy, Beverly
Ms Barbara and family, so sorry to hear of Harry’s passing. He was such a dear friend to daddy. You all will be in my thoughts and prayers! XOXO
So sorry to hear of Harry passing he was a great man and had a great family.prayers to all
Our prayers go out to the Gray family. Staying at the Outbanks motel for over 30 years, I would alway bring down cookies for Miss Barbara who would assure me that she would give some Harry. Later years I would call and talk to Harry b4 coming down and would let him know that P.O. Box 1 would have cookies in them. The 2 of them were the nicest people I have ever met. Being USCG on the island in the 60s, the Gray’s represented the kind, loving people that made up the island. I will pray for your healing but realize Harry is now the his daughter. God bless
Our condolences to Barbara and your family. I know you will miss Harry. Hope you’re in good health and doing well..We miss you at the motel on our visits.