Shawn's obituary
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Shawn Robert Gray on May 5, 2023. Born on October 7, 1971, Shawn was a devoted father, husband, son, brother, and friend who will be dearly missed.
Shawn leaves behind a loving family, including his wife Shelly Gray; children Abbey Gray, Aiden Gray, and Cameron Gray; his mother Cathy Yates and step-father John Yates; his brothers Shannon and Preston Yates; and his grandmother Mary Willis. He is predeceased by his father John Gray, his grandfather Albert Willis, his Aunt and Uncle Sonja and Gary Roberts.
A proud alumnus, Shawn graduated from John S. Battle High School in Bristol, VA in 1989 and later earned a B.S. in Engineering Tech/Construction Management from East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN in 1994. In 1997, he began a fulfilling career as CEO of Grayco Southeast General Contracting.
Shawn married Shelly in 2003 and together they built a beautiful family. Their children were born on September 9, 2003, January 24, 2006, and October 14, 2011.
An avid sports fan, Shawn's favorite teams were the Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Braves, and Tennessee Volunteers. His hobbies included playing games such as Yahtzee, Balderdash, Darts, Spot It!, and Pictionary with family and friends. He also enjoyed spending time at the beach and going on family vacations.
Shawn found solace and guidance in reading the Bible, which influenced his life deeply. Shawn shared valuable lessons with those around him, emphasizing the importance of being true to oneself, having confidence, and practicing humility. His strong faith in God was an inspiration to many.
Shawn's memory will live on in the hearts of his family and friends. He will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him.