Submit Your Condolence

All condolence submissions are moderated for legitimacy and appropriateness before posting online. Your email address will not be published.

  1. 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.

  2. Our deepest condolences for Thomas Watkins and his family! Our prayers for his wife. Rest In Peace

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. Dear Miss Barbara, My sincerest condolences to you, Tom and all of your family. Deepest Sympathy, Beverly

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Harry Miller Gray

October 11, 2022

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

Kristy Meekins DiGeronimo

I am so sorry....sending God's comfort.

Nancy Carothers

Harry was a very fine man, and I give my sympathies to all his family and all who knew him.

MaryDawn Midgett Judy

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.

Mireya & Rolando Nacif

Our deepest condolences for Thomas Watkins and his family! Our prayers for his wife. Rest In Peace

Jennifer (Missy) Stone

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.

Jasper and Lynn Williams

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.

Scheryl and Wayne Gray

Sorry to hear of Harry's passing. A true Kinnakeeter. Condolences to Barbara and family.

Beverly Bull

Dear Miss Barbara, My sincerest condolences to you, Tom and all of your family. Deepest Sympathy, Beverly

Ethel Ann ONeal Carter

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

Sandra austin

So sorry to hear of Harry passing he was a great man and had a great family.prayers to all

Rod & Debbie Tozour

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

Larry Wallace

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.