James Newton Gray

James (Jim) Newton Gray, 70, formerly of Ely, Nevada, and Schererville, Indiana, passed away on April 28, 2025, in Tucson, Arizona. A veteran of the United States Air Force, Jim led a life marked by both service and struggle, resilience and quiet humility. His personal faith was a lifelong source of comfort and strength.

Born in 1955 in Ely, Nevada, Jim was a proud son of the American West. He spent early years with his father and his brothers riding horses, chasing snakes, and exploring the wilds of Nevada. This wonderful time of his life ended when his father died of Black Lung when Jim was six. In early adolescence, Jim went to live with his older half-brother and his family in Northwest Indiana and was raised alongside his nieces as their brother. He attended Lake Central High School, where he was on the basketball and Cross-Country teams, and acted in several plays, most memorably as Officer Krupke in West Side Story. Jim graduated with the class of 1973 and attended Purdue University before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force, where he served honorably for five years as an aircraft crew chief. While stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho and Ramstein Air Base in Germany, he maintained and ensured the readiness of vital aircraft, contributing to American efforts during a time of global tension.

Jim leaves behind his three children, Launa Gray, Shelly Draper and James F. Gray and eight grandchildren. Also surviving him are his half-sister, Jacine Clanton, and numerous nieces and nephews, including Kathy Pefley, goddaughter Karen Hirlston, Jenna Clark, Elizabeth Egesdahl, Suntika Cortner and Mick Byrnes, along with childhood friend of more than fifty-five years Stewart Clark. He was preceded in death by his parents James Henry Gray and Dorothy Marie Pewitt, brothers Patrick Gray, Michael Carter, half-brother and guardians Herb Roberts and sister-in-law Lori Phillips, and half-sister Patsy Roberts Byrnes.

No formal service is planned at this time. Cremation will take place at Avenidas Cremation and Burial in Tucson. The family asks that anyone wishing to honor Jim’s memory consider making a donation to a veterans outreach or homeless support organization.