of Bryant, AR

September 29, 1928 - February 22, 2021

Zack ''Granddad'' Mason Gray, Sr., age 92, of Bryant, relocated to his heavenly home on Monday, February 22, 2021.

He was born on September 29, 1928, in Donaldson, the son of A. J. Gray and Carl Goza Gray. He was preceded in death by his parents; four loving brothers, Fred Gray, Bob Gray, Billy Max Gray and Waymon Gray; and his son-in-law, Barry Wright.

Zack is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 42 wonderful years, Jessie Spann Gray; his bonus son, Neal Sutton and his wife, Debby; his bonus daughter, Deborah Hudgins and her husband, Richard; and his daughter, Shirley Wright.

Zack was a proud and loving Granddad and Great-Granddad to his pride and joys, Zack Gray, III and children, Mason, Ryan and Alexis, Jay Sutton (Kim) and children, Reid and Benjamin, Kevin Sutton (Anna), Amanda Hudgins-Rogers (Chris), and children, Logan and Claire, Marcus Hudgins (Jessie) and children, Makena and Ashtyn, Christopher Douglas (Kristen) and children Jaxon, Ty and another blessing on the way, Haley Chambers (Jeremy) and children, Brendan, Bryson, Briar and Bo-Mack, and Jennifer Cunningham (Bryant); a very special bonus brother, Dee Spann and his wife, Gerry; and a host of wonderful friends.

Zack graduated in 1946 from Donaldson High School, where he played basketball for three years and lettered all three years and his team even went to the State Finals. In his early years, he worked for Missouri Pacific Railroad and Sturgis Lumber Company.

On March 17, 1947, he started working for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company as an unlocated lineman and also worked as an installer and a repairman. In 1962, he was promoted to Supervisor for over 27 years. During these years, Zack worked in Malvern, Magnolia, Batesville, Newport, Walnut Ridge, Little Rock, and several towns in Southwest Arkansas. During the years Zack lived in Malvern he served as past President of the Malvern Lions Club and was on the Board of Directors of the Hot Spring County Conservation District. He and his brothers established the first Alicia Bermuda grass, which was planted in Hot Spring County, and was used for hay for cows.

On March 16, 1989, Zack retired from Southwestern Bell Telephone Company after 42 years and 3 months of dedicated service. Zack would always say he worked for and with the ''Best of the Best'' group of men and women in the world!

He was a member of the First Missionary Baptist Church of Mabelvale. While Zack was always a very dedicated and hard-working employee, his greatest accomplishment was his loving family, who adored him. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend, who dedicated his life to loving and taking care of his family. Zack, also known with love as ''Granddad'', will truly be missed by those that had the wonderful joy of knowing and cherishing him.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, March 3, 2021, in the Roller-Alcoa Funeral Home Chapel, Benton with Bro. Roy Lee Polk officiating.

We are complying with the Arkansas Department of Health guidelines and limiting indoor funeral attendance to 100 people at one time. All attendees must provide and wear their own masks before entering.

Interment will be in the Forest Hills Memorial Park in Alexander.

Pallbearers will be Zack's grandsons and great-grandsons, Zack Gray, III, Jay Sutton, Kevin Sutton, Christopher Douglas, Marcus Hudgins, Logan Hudgins, Chris Rogers, Jeremy Chambers and Mason Gray, IV.

Music will be provided by his loving grandchildren, Jay Sutton and Kevin and Anna Sutton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of Zack to the First Missionary Baptist Church, 10300 Mabelvale West Road, Mabelvale, AR 72103.

Arrangements are under the direction of Roller-Alcoa Funeral Home, Benton.

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