The Reverend Roland E. "Ron" Gray, 80, of Oxford, formerly of Seymour, Milford, and Sandy Hook, died January 4, at the Griffin Hospital, Derby. He was the beloved husband of 18 years to Marion (Lucas) Gray. He was born March 2, 1934, in Sandy Hook, and was the son of the late Bell Dakota and Marion (Janssen) Gray.

Rev Gray was a graduate of the University of Bridgeport, and he earned his theological degree from Drew University, Madison, N.J. He retired as pastor of the Riverside Community Church of Oxford, where he served for 30 years. He was a retired human resources director from Connecticut Limousine, and had also worked in the computer field for several local companies.

He was a US Marine veteran of the Korean War, and a former firefighter in Milford, serving as captain and fire commissioner there in the 1960s.

Rev Gray was also an avid golfer. Additionally, he took pleasure in taking care of his yard, especially mowing the grass.

Besides his wife, Rev Gray leaves his loving family including his children, Ronald Tichy of Sandy Hook, David Gray of West Haven, Daniel Gray of Milford, Linda Nystrom of West Haven, Lori Bouve of Orange, Kimberley Wilson in Florida, Dennis Gray of Meriden, Ericka Wilson-Kerr of Westfield, Mass., Korri Verderane of Shelton, Kathie Molsick of Oxford, Command Sergaent Major Thomas B. Gray US Army of Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., Michael Gray of Derby, Lisa Johnson of Ansonia, and Wendy Forbis of Oxford. A brother, Walter Gray, and a sister, Florence Berrien; 26 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews also survive Rev Gray. His brother Robert Gray predeceased him.

Calling Hours are Tuesday, January 7, from 4 to 8 pm, in the Ralph E. Hull Funeral Home, 161 West Church Street, Seymour, with a Prayer Service at 7:30 pm. Funeral services are Wednesday, January 8, at 9 am, from the funeral home to Riverside Community Church, 238 Freeman Road, Oxford, at 10 am. Interment with full Military Honors will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Oxford.

Memorial Gifts may be sent to the Riverside Community Church (Steeple Fund), 238 Freeman Road, Oxford CT 06478.

To share a memory go to www.hullfh.com.