Virgie Gray, widow of Elmer Gray, dies at age 90

Virgie Gray, philanthropist and widow of the late Elmer Gray – the namesake of the track and field stadium at Abilene Christian University – died July 14 in Houston at the age of 90.

"Elmer and Virgie Gray together were great friends of ACU," said Dr. Gary McCaleb, vice president of the university. "Following her husband's death, Virgie remained a strong supporter of ACU, the athletics program and especially the track and field program."

Gray was born July 20, 1916, in Cedar Bayou, Texas, the daughter of a pioneering Texas family. She has been a major benefactor of ACU and has helped provide scholarships through the Women for ACU organization. She was a life member of The President’s Circle at ACU and recently made a gift to the university to renovate Elmer Gray Stadium.

Her husband, Elmer, was a 1932 Abilene Christian graduate and the university's first student-athlete to compete in the Olympic trials in track and field. He was a member of the inaugural class of athletes, coaches and friends inducted to the ACU Sports Hall of Fame.

Survivors include a stepson, Eddie Gray, and his wife, Faye, and a stepdaughter, Bennie Ruth (Gray) Kadjar, all of Baytown; two sisters, Bonnie Massey Cook of Baytown, and Sybil Massey Deaneman and her husband, John, of New York; and numerous nieces and nephews, including her niece and special caregiver, Mrs. William "Jo" Schorp of Houston.

Services were conducted July 17 in Houston. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Caring Ministries of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Houston.

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