| Obituaries for friends of Ruddick Stables |
Richard Steven "Steve" Gray, Sr., 50, of Anderson, Indiana, passed away Thursday, December 8, 2011 in
Anderson, Indiana.
Born May 14, 1961 in Marion County, KY, he was an owner and trainer of standardbred horses.
At the time of his passing, Mr. Gray had trained the winners of $2,058,736. Over his lifetime, his stable
included winners at many venues, including fair and pari-mutuel tracks in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and
Ohio. Although he was known for his patience in developing trotters, his top money earning performer was
the pacing mare EJ’s Copperstone p,2,1:53.2; 3,1:53; 4,1:52.3; 5,1:52.2 ($348,553). The daughter of Lease
On Life was an Indiana Sires Stakes Champion at ages 2 and 3. In the past few seasons, he had also
campaigned the veteran trotter JSC Merit Raise 5,1:54.4 ($249,477), whose last start was a second place
finish in the Indiana Sires Stakes for aged trotters at Indiana Downs.
Though he generally shod the horses he trained, he was also a well-respected blacksmith within the
industry. Many trainers would consult with Mr. Gray for corrective shoeing tips, with new records coming after
his advice was followed.
He was also a woodworker and a former board member of the Indiana Standardbred Association. During
his term as a director, Mr. Gray was considered one of the most approachable board members because of
his good-natured disposition.
Mr. Gray was also a family man who loved his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed attending their school
functions and sporting events, as well as sharing holiday festivities.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack Sanders Gray, Sr. and Emma Jean Abell Gray, three siblings,
Mary Sanders McCauley and infants Mary Ella Gray and James Archie Gray.
Survivors include his wife, Julie Russell Gray, two sons, Stevie Gray of Gravel Switch, KY and Brandon Gray,
at home, one daughter, Emily Gray, at home, one grandson, Jamie Gray of Gravel Switch, KY, one brother,
Jack Gray, Jr (Martha) of Lebanon, KY, seven sisters, Cary Jean Bright (Gilbert) of Palm Beach, FL, Terry Ann
Gootee (James) of Simpsonville, KY, Emma Jean Thompson (Stuart) of Louisville, KY, Teresa Jane
Thompson (Pete), Pigeon Deep (Michael), Peggy Sue Grant (Daryl) all of Lebanon, KY, Karen Marie Caldwell
(Danny Ray) of Finley, KY, one brother-in-law, Larry McCauley of Lebanon, KY.
A funeral service was held on Sunday, December 11, 2011 at Mattingly Funeral Home in Loretto, KY, followed
by interment in Saint Augustine Cemetery, Lebanon, KY. Bro. Harold Gribbins officiated.
Memorial Donations may go to his minor children c/o Richard Steven Gray, Sr., Memorial Fund, Citizens
National Bank, 145 W. Main, Lebanon, KY 40033. The account is to be administered by Co-Executors:
Teresa Thompson, Peggy Grant, and Pigeon Deep (sisters of R. Steven Gray, Sr.).
Anderson, Indiana.
Born May 14, 1961 in Marion County, KY, he was an owner and trainer of standardbred horses.
At the time of his passing, Mr. Gray had trained the winners of $2,058,736. Over his lifetime, his stable
included winners at many venues, including fair and pari-mutuel tracks in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and
Ohio. Although he was known for his patience in developing trotters, his top money earning performer was
the pacing mare EJ’s Copperstone p,2,1:53.2; 3,1:53; 4,1:52.3; 5,1:52.2 ($348,553). The daughter of Lease
On Life was an Indiana Sires Stakes Champion at ages 2 and 3. In the past few seasons, he had also
campaigned the veteran trotter JSC Merit Raise 5,1:54.4 ($249,477), whose last start was a second place
finish in the Indiana Sires Stakes for aged trotters at Indiana Downs.
Though he generally shod the horses he trained, he was also a well-respected blacksmith within the
industry. Many trainers would consult with Mr. Gray for corrective shoeing tips, with new records coming after
his advice was followed.
He was also a woodworker and a former board member of the Indiana Standardbred Association. During
his term as a director, Mr. Gray was considered one of the most approachable board members because of
his good-natured disposition.
Mr. Gray was also a family man who loved his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed attending their school
functions and sporting events, as well as sharing holiday festivities.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack Sanders Gray, Sr. and Emma Jean Abell Gray, three siblings,
Mary Sanders McCauley and infants Mary Ella Gray and James Archie Gray.
Survivors include his wife, Julie Russell Gray, two sons, Stevie Gray of Gravel Switch, KY and Brandon Gray,
at home, one daughter, Emily Gray, at home, one grandson, Jamie Gray of Gravel Switch, KY, one brother,
Jack Gray, Jr (Martha) of Lebanon, KY, seven sisters, Cary Jean Bright (Gilbert) of Palm Beach, FL, Terry Ann
Gootee (James) of Simpsonville, KY, Emma Jean Thompson (Stuart) of Louisville, KY, Teresa Jane
Thompson (Pete), Pigeon Deep (Michael), Peggy Sue Grant (Daryl) all of Lebanon, KY, Karen Marie Caldwell
(Danny Ray) of Finley, KY, one brother-in-law, Larry McCauley of Lebanon, KY.
A funeral service was held on Sunday, December 11, 2011 at Mattingly Funeral Home in Loretto, KY, followed
by interment in Saint Augustine Cemetery, Lebanon, KY. Bro. Harold Gribbins officiated.
Memorial Donations may go to his minor children c/o Richard Steven Gray, Sr., Memorial Fund, Citizens
National Bank, 145 W. Main, Lebanon, KY 40033. The account is to be administered by Co-Executors:
Teresa Thompson, Peggy Grant, and Pigeon Deep (sisters of R. Steven Gray, Sr.).
Obituaries
R. Steven Gray, Sr., 50, passes away
| Ruddick Stables 9200 W. 300 N. Scipio, IN 47273 (765) 215-6525 hoosiercharm@gmail.com |
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| In Memory of |
| Steve Gray May 14, 1961 - Dec. 8, 2011 Rest in peace friend. You will be greatly missed! |