Donnie R. Gray

Donnie R. Gray, age 73 went to his heavenly home on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at the AdventHealth of Manchester after a long battle with cancer. He was born on Wednesday, July 18, 1951 in Oneida, Kentucky to Estill and Verdlain Smallwood Gray. 

Donnie was a member of the Kings Way Church, was a retired teacher, working for the Clay County Public Schools for 34 years, bus driver for 46 years and basketball coach, but he was much more than that in life. He coached the Clay County High School Lady Tigers for 21 years, collecting 505 career wins (6th on the Kentucky High School Girls Basketball Wins list), he was the coach of the 1989 KHSAA Girls Basketball State Champions, the 1992 KHSAA Girls Basketball State Runner-Up, winning Nine 13th Region Tournament Championships, twelve 49th District Championships, 3-time Associated Press State Girls Coach of the Year and a member of the 13th Region Hall of Fame. Donnie always said that as many victories he was blessed with on the basketball court, the greatest victory was giving his life to Jesus on Easter Sunday in 2009. Donnie also loved and cherished his family, especially being a grandfather and spending time with his family and watching his grandchildren excel in the events of their lives. 

Donnie leaves to cherish his memory and life, his loving wife: Beverly (Stonecipher) Gray, his daughter: Kendra Hooker and her husband Brian, his sons: James Gray and his wife: Kellie and Jeff Culver and his wife Missy. Also left to mourn his passing are his grandchildren: Tyler Culver and his wife Kendall, Lindsey Culver, Grayson Hooker, Brody Hooker, Maxton Gray, Alex Gray, Blakely Hooker, Allie Gray, Sophie Gray and Jax Gray as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other family and friends that lives he impacted that are too numerous to mention.

He is preceded in death by his parents: Estill and Verdlain Gray and his brothers: Charles Gray, Willie Ray “Peachie Pie” Gray and Bobby Gray.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, 1500 College Way, Lexington, Kentucky 40502 in memory of Donnie.

Funeral Services for Donnie R. Gray will be conducted on Thursday, January 30, 2025 at 1 PM at the Rominger Funeral Home Chapel. Monroe Roberts, John Becknell, Bufford Hooker and Scottie Sumner will be presiding. Burial will follow in the Manchester Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends and loved ones on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 after 5 PM at the Rominger Funeral Home Chapel.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Rominger Funeral Home.