Jacob "Richard" Gray, age 86, of Slidell, Louisiana passed away on Monday, January 29, 2024, with his family by his side, in Slidell, Louisiana.

Richard was born November 24, 1937, in Orangeburg, South Carolina, to Thomas "Woodrow" Gray, Sr. and Lizzy Mae Fogle Gray.  He was a U.S. Coast Guard veteran, who while stationed in New Orleans, met Doris Mae Peralta of Violet, Louisiana, and they married on January 18, 1959, in Violet, Louisiana. He worked at Nu-Lite Electrical Wholesalers until retirement and was a past President of the Electrical Association of New Orleans. He loved golf and was an avid fisherman.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Woodrow Gray Sr. and Lizzy Mae Fogle Gray, a brother, O. Tyrone Gray, and sister, Deborah Mae Gray.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Doris Peralta Gray; sons, Larry Richard Gray (Cherie), Thomas John Gray (Christen); daughter, Laurie Gray Lion (Gregory); siblings, Louise G. Smoak, Thomas W. "Buck" Gray Jr., and Janet G. Myers; grandchildren, Dr. Jason R. Gray (Maggie), Callie G. Lambert (Colby), Nathan N. Gray (fiancé, Chancie), Mason S. Pearcy; great grandchildren, Evelynn Gray, James Gray, Julianne Gray, Colbie Lambert, Emma Lambert, and "Baby Gray" arriving soon.

Family and friends are invited to his services on Monday, February 19, 2024, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 400 Westchester Blvd. in Slidell.  Visitation will begin at 11:00 am and continue with Mass at 12 noon.

Richard will be laid to rest at a private ceremony on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery.