Robert D. “Bob” Gray, 82, passed away peacefully after a brief illness on August 16, 2025, in Sugar Land, Texas. He was born on August 10, 1943, in Archer City, Texas.
Bob graduated from Wichita Falls High School before attending Texas Tech University. In his early years, he spent time living in Galveston, where he enjoyed life by the beach and worked in the Mayor’s office. He later returned to Texas Tech to complete his education, where he met his wife of 53 years, Joan Rucker. The two were married on October 16, 1971, in Paris, Texas.
Following college, Bob and Joan lived in Lubbock for several years and had their daughter, Sabra. They soon moved to Sugar Land, where he launched a successful career founding G&S Installation, a kitchen remodeling business based in Houston, which he owned and operated for many decades. After retirement, he trained for several years, completing the Houston and New York City Marathons. He then moved to Bozeman, Montana, near his daughter and son-in-law, before eventually settling back in Sugar Land.
A devoted husband and father, Bob was known for his selflessness and unwavering support of his family. He took great pride in watching and traveling to see his daughter, Sabra, compete in junior golf tournaments and later represent the University of Georgia on its golf team. He was an avid fan of sports and could often be found cheering on the Texas Tech Red Raiders, Georgia Bulldogs, and Houston Astros.
Bob proudly served his country with honor as a reservist for 7 years in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam era.
Bob is survived by his beloved wife, Joan Rucker Gray; daughter Sabra Slade and her husband Ronnie of St Simons Island, Georgia; sister Sherry Rendon and her husband Jody of Waxahachie, Texas; niece Stephanie Vest and great-niece Ashton Vest of Waco, Texas; and honorary daughter Jennifer Wuensch and her husband Ryan of Spring, Texas.
He was preceded in death by his parents Bobby and Grace Gray; brother Danny Gray; father and mother-in-law Odis and Naomi Rucker; brother-in-law John Rucker; and favorite nephew Chris Rucker.
Honorary pallbearers and longtime family and friends are Ronnie Slade, Bob Anderson, Gordon Gallagher, Jimmie Carroll, Wes Whitfield, Gary Hinkle, Jody Rendon and Ryan Wuensch. We are grateful for our dear friend Barbara Hinkle, Pastor Taylor Sandlin and our church family at Sugar Land Baptist Church.
Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, August 20th at 11:00 AM at Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home in Paris, Texas.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Sparrow’s Food Pantry. Donation link below or mail to P.O. Box 2902, Brunswick Ga 31521.
https://faithworksministry.app.neoncrm.com/forms/give-to-sparrows-nest
