"I am sorry to learn of your loss and his long battle with health issues. Several years ago, I had the priviledge of sitting outside his office as a legal secretary to another attorney. He was always in the office early. I would come in early and talk to him, being so young, and being so curious about legal issues. He was so kind to answer my questions and always had time for me, treating me like I was important. What a dear, sweet man. I wish you and your family well."
In loving memory of
Mark W. Gray
December 31, 1969 - December 31, 1969
Indianapolis attorney Mark W. Gray, 91, died August 27 at Castleton Rehabilitation Center after a 3 1/2-year struggle with heart disease and cancer. A memorial service celebrating his life will be conducted at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 31 at the Leppert Mortuary, Nora Chapel 740 E. 86th Street, Indianapolis with calling there from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Annual Fund of Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School, 2801 West 86th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46268.
An Indianapolis native, Gray was a senior partner in the prestigious law firm of Kightlinger and Gray. He practiced in the firm, and its predecessors, since 1946. Honored by the state of Indiana as a Sagamore of the Wabash, he served as a board member and officer of the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association from 1947 until 2001.
Gray joined the firm that would become Kightlinger and Gray after serving the U.S. Army during World War II, reaching the rank of Infantry Captain. Admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, he served a wide range of private and corporate clients. His practice included extensive work with the insurance industry, and he earned the Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation in 1952. The National Society of CPCU honored him with its Trendsetter Award and The Central Indiana chapter of CPCU later established a scholarship bearing his name. Gray also was a member of the Federation of Insurance and Corporate Counsel, the International Association of Defense Counsel, the Indiana Chapter of CPCU, the American Society of Property and Casualty Underwriters, as well as the Indianapolis, Indiana and American bar associations.
In addition to almost 60 years with the Convention and Visitors Association, Gray served the Indianapolis community as a member and president of the Indianapolis School Board (1965-1969), commissioner of the Marion County Election Board (1950-1964) and board chairman of Brebeuf Preparatory School (1982-1986). A 33rd Degree Mason, he was a member of the Columbia Club, the Lawyers Club, Millersville F & AM Lodge #126, Scottish Rite of Indianapolis, the Murat Shrine and the 12th Armored Division Association. He was a member of Lawrence United Methodist Church.
Gray is survived by his wife, Mary Neal Gray; their children, filmmaker Mark W. Gray of Los Angeles and writer Carolyn Gray of Knoxville, Tenn; son-in-law, martial artist Tom Booker of Knoxville; and grandchildren Noah Thomas Gray and Fiona Thomas Gray of Los Angeles and Emma Marie Gray of Knoxville. He also is survived by his sister, Rosemary Gray Dilley; sisters-in-law Jean Gray and Stella Gray; and several nieces and nephews. Gray was preceded in death by his parents, Mark Roy Gray and Elsie Wegener Gray; his brothers, Donald and Richard Gray; and his first wife, Mary Sue Spilman Gray. You are invited to visit www.leppertmortuary.com you may leave a personal message for the family, sign the online guestbook or make a memorial contribution.
Tributes
"When I entered the practice of law in 1974, Mark was already a legend in the legal practice. I was privileged to have known him and learned from him. He was always a gentlemen, demonstrating the highest of ethics both in the courtroom and in the office. I was a better attorney for having known him. May he rest in peace. John S. Beeman"
"To Mary and the entire Gray Family, Please know that you are all very much in our thoughts and prayers. Though, am sure, that this is a very difficult time for you, you have to take tremendous pride in the life Mark lived. He was truly a pillar of the community. He was an accomplished and highly successful attorney, and, within the local insurance community, there was no one more highly thought of than Mark Gray.To Mary, I deeply regret that I cannot be there for the Services on Sunday. We are going to be out of town on a family trip that we have had planned for quite some time now. I have very much enjoyed the opportunity to get to know you better in the last several months. You have been nothing both gracious, supportive, and willing to help time and again. In the coming days, if there is anything at all we can do to help, please be sure to let us know. You and your Family will very much remain in our thoughts and prayers. Godspeed,Hugh M. McGowan"
"I am sorry for your loss. I have many memories of Mark talking to me and making me feel welcome at CPCU meetings when I was a young underwriter with a new designation. His conversations were always interesting and I always looked forward to seeing him."
"Dear Mary,I was so sad to hear of your loss. I am sure that this is a diffucult time for you, just remember all of those very special years with Mark and all of the memories you have stored up. Keep smiling and take care of yourself, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers."
"I was employed by the law firm from 1970 to 1980 as secretary to John Thompson. Mr. Gray was unfailingly helpful, polite and always humorous. I enjoyed hearing his "war" stories and we all enjoyed seeing him walk around the office with his big cigar sticking out of the side of his mouth. What a wonderful man he was! I feel privileged to have known him."
"Among my earliest childhood memories was of going downtown once a week with my mother to lunch at the Ayre's department store tearoom. This would be followed by the treat I most looked forward to: visiting my father's office, where I was promised that if I was really well behaved, I would earn the right to "go see Mark". I remember him as one of the kindest, best, and most entertaining of gentlemen. I appreciated his good counsel, also, in later life. I offer my sincere condolences on the passing of this fine man who gave so much to others. With sincere sympathy, Jeanne Kightlinger Smith"
"Our heart goes out to you in your loss. What a great couple you were. So gentle loving what wonderful role models you were to all of us nieces and nephews.Although we are in another city we always hold you both in our thoughts and prayers we will miss Uncle Mark..Love and Prayers Diana and family"
"Dear Mary, Mark, Carolyn, and Family,I am so sorry for your loss. We are all thinking about you, and we care about you very much.Love,Eileen"
"Mark, Mary, Carolyn and the Gray family - I didn't know Mr. Gray but wanted to offer my condolences to your family during this sad time. Reading about him, Mr. Gray has had quite an uncommonly full life. I feel like I had a sense of his character from the way Mark has spoken of him. You're in my family's prayers. "
"I am deeply sorry for your loss and to hear that Mark hadnot been well for such a long time. I have known Mark since the late fifties. He was a great man, and friend, who was always there for help and advice and also for legal matters. My late wife Sue and I were always extremely grateful that we had the good fortune to have Mark as a friend. May the Lord be with your family!Jack D. Jarboe (neighbor)"
"Mary We are so sorry to hear of Mark, He always made me feel important which was a great thing in my life.Diana and I have so many stories we told over the years of his trips to Riley Hospital. Methodist, St. Vincent through our 47 years of marriage in all our childrens crisis he was always there with encouragement , along with a smile.Each of our children will tell your how they have the gift you both were so kind to bring them. Ryan got out his brown leather folder which his uncle Mark bought him when he was hit on the motor cycle in 1996.How he ate hospital food and enjoyed it. The meals we shared when he stopped to check on Diana Marie at Riley also the story of he Bon Jovi will stand out in all our hearts. He was a great man of many accomplishments.We are so proud he was our family.. Take care and come see us. Love you Don"
"My sincere condolences at this sad time. I well remember meeting Mr. Gray at his son Mark's house. He embodied the word "patriarch". His full and varied life was clearly well-lived. "