Timmy "Tim" Anderson Gray, Sr., 77, of Gulf Breeze, FL, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, after fighting leukemia and lung disease valiantly and with dignity. Tim was faithful, hard-working, protective, caring, and charismatic, and his love of God, family, and life did not come to an end with his death.

Tim in his younger years moved between Alabama and Florida. At an early age he began developing his skills as a master craftsman while building homes with his father. While in high school he excelled at sports playing football at Choctawhatchee Senior High School. While attending high school there, he met the love of his life Rhonda Lee Gray. Tim married Rhonda in August 1967, loving her always for over 58 years. After marriage Tim served our Country as a Liquid Fuels System Specialist in the United States Air Force working with missile systems. Tim and Rhonda started their family in 1968 and eventually settled down in Gulf Breeze, where Tim had a lengthy career with the National Park Service skillfully restoring historical structures, building homes, and crafting custom furniture in his spare time. In fact, he hand-crafted many of the National Park Service signs that you see along Highway 98 in Gulf Breeze, today.

Being strong and a fighter was nothing new to Tim. He overcame being severely burned as a child, which led to months of hospital and recovery time. As an adult he battled several diseases: leukemia, diabetes, and Interstitial Lung Disease. Anyone of those would have taken down a lesser man, but with Tim it took all three.

At the age of thirty, Tim merged his fighting spirit with his desire to help others. He bravely attempted to save a 6-year-old boy from drowning two hundred feet off the shore of Navarre, FL. Through his actions the young boy was revived, and Tim earned the Carnegie Hero Medal of Honor. If you search, you are likely to find the local newspaper article about his heroism.

Tim actively, proudly, and gladly gave his spare time to support the Gulf Breeze school system and the community. You could find him "recording videos" and rooting for his basketball & football player son, Timmy, and his cheerleader and track & field daughters, Shannon and Andrea. Yet his support and engagement with the community extended well beyond his own children. He may have been the most renowned DJ at the Gulf Breeze school dances in the 1980s—he made those dances memorable for all kids, not just his own. Although the gyms and auditoriums of yesteryear school dances may be silent today, you will find other legacies of his contributions, such as the trophy cases at Gulf Breeze High School and the Dolphin sign that stood for years at Gulf Breeze Elementary School.

When Tim wasn't working, making custom furniture, fixing anything that was broken, or volunteering, he loved canoeing, bike riding, and camping with family and especially with his cherished wife, Rhonda. Tim and Rhonda spent many days enjoying the butterfly garden and Christmas Fantasy of Lights at Callaway Gardens, seeing bears in The Great Smoky Mountains, and having cookouts at Tops'l Beach.

Tim had several constants in his life:  God, Country, and Family. He enjoyed spending time with family watching movies, playing cards (winning his final game of War last week), and playing board games. He felt immense joy seeing his kids and grandkids grow up and was proud of each of their accomplishments. Celebrating Birthdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas with family was incredibly special to him but closely followed by Bama Football – Roll Tide Roll!

Tim excelled at telling stories and jokes and making friends with everyone he met. He had an uncanny ability to strike up a conversation with anyone, literally anyone, as though each person was a lifelong friend. He was well known and loved by the community, wherever he was. All kids, grandkids, and their friends knew Tim as their "Pa," the perfect nickname for him. He will be forever remembered for his "world famous" biscuits and gravy and as a jokester which was reflected in the nicknames he handed out. Tim lived each day fully with a positive outlook and strong faith in God. He was ever the provider to Rhonda, his family, and was always willing to help a friend or someone soon to be.

Tim is preceded in death by his parents, Ruby Gray and Wilson Gray; brother, Chuck Gray; sisters, Carolyn Brown (Gray) and Betty Johnson (Gray).

Tim is survived by his wife, Rhonda Gray; son, Tim Gray Jr. (Jennifer Gray); daughters, Shannon (Gray) Smalley (Ryan) and Andrea (Gray) Kessinger (Brandon); grandchildren, Harman Kessinger, Jacob Smalley, Gavin Gray, Raef Smalley, Madison Kessinger, Samuel Smalley, Pierce Gray, and Sophie Kessinger; sisters, Jane (Gray) Ferra (Andy), Brenda (Gray) Pierce (John), Susan (Gray) Hoyt (Norman), Donna (Gray) Gilliland (Steve), and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are welcome to attend the Celebration of Life service which will be held from 10:00am to 11:00am (Central Standard Time) on Friday August 8, 2025, at Olive Baptist Church where Tim was a member, at 1836 E. Olive Road, Pensacola, Fl 32514. A livestream link will be forthcoming. Following the service, please join the family for a reception with light refreshments and fellowship. Tim will be laid to rest with military honors at Barrancas National Cemetery with a private family graveside committal service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in his memory to support the vital work of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Donation Link .