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John William GRAY

1929-2003

Suddenly on 12th August 2003 aged 73. Son of the late James Gray (R1889-1907) and father of Keith (R63-70), Michael (R65-74), Alan (R70-80) and Robin Gray (BH66-69). He leaves his sons and wife Myrtle.

The parish church at Parham overflowed in August 2003 for the funeral of John Gray a local and highly respected farmer, councillor and sportsman. Amongst the congregation were several of his school contempories including E.C. Woods (G 38-44), D.R.Hill (G40-45), S.F. Bloomfield (G41-45), R.H.Taylor (S 43-48), A.J. Whymark (S 41-46), W. Ashwell (G 40-44) and G.J.Dring (G 40-44).

Born at Moat Hall, Parham son of an O.F., he attended the school during the war years leaving in 1945 to help out on the family farm which he took over from his father in 1956 and farmed until his death, latterly in partnership with two of his sons Michael and Robin. During this time the farm had increased in size from 260 acres to over 1,000 including some land farmed on contract.

As a founder member of Framlingham Young Farmers Club he held a number of offices and represented the county in many competitions.

He enjoyed tennis and then took up bowls at the Framlingham Castle Bowls Club where he was President when he passed away. His achievements in this sport included representing Suffolk at the National Championships in Worthing seven times between 1974 and 1994, once winning a thousand cans of beer! He spent many years on the Suffolk EBA County Executive Committee.

He served on the County NFU Livestock Committee and was also past Chairman of the Framlingham branch.

He was very much involved with village life serving on the Parish Council, Parochial Church Council and was a Churchwarden for many years. He represented Parham and Hacheston on the Blyth District Council until the local councils were re-organised in the 1970s.

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