The Virginian-Pilot, (Norfolk, VA) - December 15, 2000

Thomas Woodrow ''Woody'' Gray, 84, of the 300 block of Charlotte Drive, died Dec. 13, 2000, in Suffolk. A native of Magnolia, Va., he was the son of the late Lloyd Gray and Martha Felton Conner.

Mr. Gray was a member of St. Andrew's United Methodist Church and a graduate of Maury High School and Virginia Military Institute. He completed post-graduate studies at Columbia University and College of William & Mary. He taught, coached football and baseball, and was assistant principal at Woodrow Wilson High School. He was principal at Shea Terrace and Park View Elementary Schools, then at Cradock High School until his retirement.

Shortly after graduation from Virginia Military Institute, he was freshman coach of football and baseball there. Later he worked there as athletic director. He was a member of VMI's Sports Hall of Fame.

Mr. Gray was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart.

Survivors include his wife, Charlotte McGavock Gray; a son, Thomas W. Gray Jr. of Eclipse; a daughter, Katherine Ann Gray of Portsmouth; a sister, Martha Albano Englund of Cashion, Ariz.; three grandsons, David Graham Harris of Norfolk, John Stuart Harris of Chesapeake and James McGavock Gray of Portsmouth; son-in-law, Dennis C. Harris of Chesapeake; and a niece, Leila Willard of Goodyear, Ariz. He was predeceased by a daughter, Evelyn Gray Harris, and two granddaughters, Emily Thomas Harris and Kimberly Eve Gray.

A graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens by the Rev. Harry Spear. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters, or to a charity of the donor's choice. Sturtevant Funeral Home, Portsmouth Blvd. Chapel, is handling arrangements.