Mr. Otis Clarence Gray, fondly known by his relatives and loved ones as "OC," was born on June 6, 1936, in Riverton, Louisiana to the late Mr. Dennis and Mrs. Geneva Gray.

Otis was educated in the Ouachita Parish School System in Monroe, Louisiana. After graduating from Rayville High school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1955, where he served as a Medical Helper. He was honorably discharged in 1963 and returned to Monroe, Louisiana. Otis accepted Christ as a teenager and was baptized at the Good Hope Baptist Church also in Monroe, Louisiana.

Otis married his beautiful and devoted wife, the late Dorothy Jean Gray on October 10, 1962. They then migrated to Los Angeles, California where they set up home and started a family.  To this union, one child was born, who he named Sharon Lynette Gray.

His professional career started at Boys Market Grocery stores. Seeking better  employment for him and his family, he sought employment with the airlines. He gained employment in 1968 with Western Airlines. Western Airlines merged with Delta Airlines and he worked there until he retired in 1994.  He had a great group of retiree friends from Delta Airlines whom he would meet at the Home Town Buffett in Gardena, California to have lunch once a month.

Otis loved sports, often taking in 4-5 games at one time by stacking 2-3 televisions on top of each other and listening to 2-3 radio broadcastings, all while reading the sports page in the newspaper.

Otis received numerous awards and recognition's from the New Mt. Calvary Christian Elementary Academy where his son, Jerry matriculated through elementary school. He received the "Very Important Parent Award" as well as being recognized as a dedicated member of the Parent Teacher Fellowship.

In 2003, Otis moved back to Louisiana to the city of Lake Charles where he could always be found in the home of his late Uncle Archie and his wife Aunt Leola, whose cooking he LOVED. He joined the Christian Baptist Church and began serving with the CBC Laymen's Ministry. He worked with the Vacation Bible School yearly, sitting and talking or serving (not sure which one he did, but he did them all well). He loved his church and was very proud of his pastor.  When he was not working in the church, Otis was an active member of Veterans of Foreign War Post 7321 and the American Legion.

O.C. had thousands of dates in his head.  He could tell you graduation dates, funeral dates, birth dates and the like, he was sort of a World Almanac if you will.

Otis entered eternal rest on Monday, December 24, 2018. We are reminded that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Dennis and Geneva Gray; wife, Dorothy Jean Gray; brother, Jerry Gray; and grandson. Donald A. Hill (Virginia).

He leaves to cherish fond memories, his sons. Clarence White and Jerry Gray; daughters, Sharon Gray and Brianna Fields; oldest sister, Mrs. Bertha Lee Williams (New Brunswick; New Jersey); a very special aunt,  Mrs. Leola Frazier; Godson, Derrick Hays; four special nieces and nephews he reared and loved as his own, Arnita Cypress (Lawrence), Bernadette Kidd (Arthur), Donald R. Hill (Pam), and Ricky R. Hill (Patrice); five granddaughters; two grandsons; five great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and special friends.