Thomas S. Gray Sr. passed away at St. Clare Hospital in Fenton, Missouri on May 3, 2025. He was born on November 10, 1947. His parents were L. Tena and Martha (Betty) Gray. He married Toni (Poninski) Gray, and they later divorced. His son, Thomas Gray Jr., was his pride and joy.
Thomas graduated from the class of 1965 at Centralia Township High School. He went on to graduate from Kaskaskia Jr. College and attended Murray State University. In 1993, he was an inductee for the Kaskaskia College Hall of Fame for exemplary service and recognition to Community College District 501.
He worked for Combine Insurance Company in his younger years. Thomas then bought Hudson-Gray Insurance Company and worked there for many years before moving on to Chaney and Karch Insurance.
Thomas loved tennis. He won a state tournament in high school. He also won a national tournament in Florida. He was an avid golfer. He enjoyed this time with his friends. He was involved in many organizations, was a member of the Centralia Elks #493, Masonic Lodge, Optimists, Centralia J.C.’s, and was a supporter of the Boy Scouts throughout his life.
Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, L. Tena and Martha (Betty) Gray, his maternal and paternal grandparents, and an infant son.
He is survived by his son, Thomas Gray Jr., and his many friends who meant the world to him.
Funeral services for Thomas Gray, Sr. will be held on Friday, May 9, 2025, at 11:00 am at Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home in Centralia with Jim Sumner officiating. A Visitation will be held at Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home on Thursday, May 8, 2025, from 5:00 pm-7:00 pm and again on Friday, May 9, 2025, from 10:00 am until the time of service. Masonic Rites will be accorded at 6:00 PM on Thursday at the Funeral Home, with a Shriner’s Walk Through to follow. The Centralia Elks Lodge #493 will also honor Tom with a walk-through immediately following the Shriners. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Centralia. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or Boy Scouts and will be accepted by the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 North Sycamore Street, Centralia, Illinois 62801, (618)532-3523, who is honored to be of service to the Gray Family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com and the Funeral Home Facebook page.
