Geoffrey Lyman Gray

Geoffrey Lyman “Geoff” Gray, 77, of Lee County, GA, died December 12, 2023 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital.  A memorial service will be held Friday, December 15, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.  The Rev. Galen Mirate will officiate.  A private interment will follow.

Geoff was born in Springfield, MA on October 1, 1946 and moved to Albany with his family at a young age.  He grew up in Radium Springs and attended Albany High School where he participated in basketball, football and baseball. He acquired the nickname “Bear” due to his exceptional athletic abilities. He graduated from Albany High School in 1964. Upon graduating Albany High School, he attended The University of Georgia where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order Fraternity and served as Vice President. He graduated from UGA with a bachelor’s degree in history.

After graduating from The University of Georgia, Geoff returned to Albany to join his father, James H. Gray Sr, at The Albany Herald where he served as Advertising Director of the newspaper. He later became Vice President of Gray Communications and served on the Board of Directors. He retired in 2008.

Geoff enjoyed giving back to his community by his involvement in the Rotary Club and serving on the Board of the Credit Bureau of Southwest Georgia. He shared his passion for sports with the youth of Albany as a longtime Little League Baseball coach and basketball referee.

Geoff was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy Ellis Johnston, and his father, James Harrison Gray, Sr. as well as his siblings, James Harrison Gray, Jr and Constance “Connie” Greene.

Survivors include his wife, Brenda Gray of Lee County, GA, his daughters, Andrian “Andi” Gray Herb of Savannah, GA and Lauren Gray (H.J.) Chandler of Albany, GA and four grandchildren, Ellis Herb and Gray Herb both of Savannah, GA and Helen Chandler and Walker Chandler both of Albany, GA.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38101.