FARMINGTON – Lee Richard Gray, 74, of Farmington, passed away peacefully on Feb. 7, at home with family by his side. For the last three months he had been a patient at Franklin Memorial Hospital, Seton Hospital and Maine Medical Center in Portland.

He was born in New Vineyard, on Feb. 11, 1931, the son of the late Roy Gray and the late Blanche Lisherness Gray Piper.

He attended schools in Stratton, The Roosevelt Grammar School in New Vineyard where his mother taught for many years, and Farmington High School. He participated in football, basketball, and track, receiving letter awards each year he played. He was a point guard for Farmington High School when it won the state championship basketball title in 1948.

After high school, he enlisted in the Marine Corps during the Korean War. He served as an armorer sergeant at Marine Corps. Base Quantico in Virginia. After discharge from the service in 1952, he married Adria Anne Adams, daughter of Dan T. Adams and Nan Ramsdell Adams of Farmington.

He started his career in automobile sales at M.E. Knapp and Son selling Hudson’s, and later at Horn Motors working for Asher D. Horn (Dave) for 18 years as a salesman.

In 1970 he purchased Horn Motors renaming the dealership Gray Ford Sales. Within three years of ownership at 7 Main St., Farmington he purchased land on the Wilton Road and built a new facility which he owned and operated from 1973-1998. When he was a Ford/Mercury dealer Mr. Gray and his associates received numerous sales and service awards. He also held many positions representing the Ford dealer body. He was vice chairman of then New England Ford Dealers Association representing the Boston District and past director for the New England Ford Dealers Advertising Committee for many years.

He spent countless hours in the Masonic League and became a York Rite Mason. He was also a dad adviser in Demolay. He was president of the Franklin County Shriner’s Club, post commander of the Commandry as well as past high priest of the Franklin Chapter No. 44 in Farmington. He was an active member of the Rotary Club in Farmington.

He was a avid flier and held a commercial instrument pilot’s license where he logged over 3,000 hours. He served many years in the Maine Pilot’s Association and served two years as president of the Maine Pilot’s Association. He was also instrumental in helping to produce the Maine Wind Sock magazine.

He served 14 years on the Board of Directors 1971-1985 at the People National Bank of Farmington now Bangor Savings Bank. He was a member on an advisory committee for the Peoples Heritage Bank of Farmington known now as T.D. Banknorth.

He was an avid hobbyist. Therefore, retirement was filled. Despite his Parkinson’s disease, he continued to create wood and metal projects, enhance his workshop, play his harmonica and work on his computer.

He especially liked his early morning breakfasts at the Farmington Diner and said, He wished he had gone there many years before.

His greatest love and joy were his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He played in the pool with them, took them for rides on the four-wheeler and on the golf cart. He spent countless hours with them.

He is survived by his loving wife, Adria; three daughters, Shery Jones and husband, Douglas Jones, of Farmington, Kimberly Edwards and husband, Gary Edwards, of Farmington, Jamie Lucas and husband, David, of Somersworth, N.H.; one son, Stephen Gray and wife, Jill Doughty Gray, of Farmington; eight grandchildren, Amy Jones of Portland, Ore., Melissa Plourde and husband, Thomas (T.J.) Plourde, of Jay, Bethany Cormier and husband, Thomas Cormier, of Farmington, Tory Gray of Farmington, Alexandra, Calan and Elyse Lucas of Somersworth, N.H. and Gabrielle Edwards of Farmington; three great-grandchildren, Adria and Ella Plourde of Jay and Vivian Cormier of Farmington; one brother, Errol B. Gray and wife, Esther, of Augusta; one half-sister, Sharon Dumas of Augusta; two half-brothers, Michael Gray of Farmingdale and John Gray of Chelsea.

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