Owensboro’s Charles L. “Chuck” Gray — a former business owner and active member of the community — died Saturday at the age of 90.
Gray served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, after which he worked at Carter Mortgage Co. (later Old National Bank), where he was named supervisor for Kentucky. At age 33, he was named vice president and manager of the mortgage loan department.
Three years later, Gray opened his own company, Chuck Gray Realtors, and helped find locations for Long John Silvers, McDonald’s, Captain D’s, and other restaurants in the area.
As an entrepreneur, Gray and Jim Johnson opened Noble Roman’s in Owensboro and Captain D’s in Vincennes, Indiana. He later owned nine nursing homes across Indiana and Kentucky.
Continuing his business ventures, Gray co-owned Athenian Spa and Racket Club on Chuck Gray Court and constructed 150 apartments on Towne Square Court, and he was eventually involved in the ownership of over 2,000 apartments in the tri-state.
Outside of business, Gray was highly active in civic activities including the Evansville Lions Club, Dale Carnegie Alumni Association, Society of Appraisers, and National Association of Credit Men in the Tri-State. He held the offices of treasurer, vice president, and president of the Owensboro Board of Realtors, being named Realtor of the Year in 1969. Gray was also director of the Owensboro Homebuilders Association from 1968-1970. He was also involved in The Family Y, Pop Warner Football, Little League Baseball, Jaycees, Optimist Club, and Chamber of Commerce.
Gray also established the Charles L. Gray Foundation after meeting with Pastor Ragwa from Kenya. The Foundation has built churches in 13 countries around the world, and his hope for the Foundation was that it will continue and eventually build over 1,000 churches with the help of International Cooperating Ministries.
Gray’s funeral service will be at 2 p.m. on August 19 at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory (900 Old Hartford Road), with visitation from 11 a.m. until the time of the service.
