Howard R. Gray, M.D.

It is with great sadness, we announce the death of Howard R. Gray, M.D., 88, who passed on February 18th, 2017 in Carmel, Indiana, surrounded by his family.

Howard was born in Iuka, Mississippi to Howard L. and Una Gray, where he grew up of modest means. After graduating high school, he went on to earn his undergraduate degree at the University of Mississippi in Oxford. Then, on December 30, 1950 he married Bonnie Arnold and the two moved to St. Louis where Howard went on to earn his medical degree at Washington University School of Medicine. Upon graduation from Medical School, they moved to Indianapolis for Howard to complete his internship at Marion County General Hospital. After which, he enlisted and served in the United States Air Force, before going on to a private General Practice in Lumberton, Mississippi. He practiced there for several years, before returning to Indianapolis to specialize in Dermatology at Indiana University School of Medicine. After completing his residency in Dermatology, he was accepted as a Fellow at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in Washington, DC, where he added the additional specialty of Dermatopathology.

Howard and his family then moved to Bismarck, North Dakota, where Howard practiced Dermatology at the Quain and Ramstad Clinic. He stayed in North Dakota for just one year, before being offered and accepting a position at Temple University School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He remained there for two years before returning to Indianapolis to go into private practice, where he practiced for 33 years. During much of this time, he also taught at Indiana University School of Medicine. In addition to his private practice, he was a co-founder of The Dermatopathology Laboratory in Indianapolis where he continued working until 2002, before finally retiring. Howard loved his work and cared about his patients. He was a compassionate man.

Outside of his work, Howard enjoyed pursuing many interests. He was an avid sports fan and always followed his favorite teams. He especially loved going to games with his sons. He was a dog lover and enjoyed training and showing his dogs. He liked traveling in his RV and made it to all 50 states. He was a runner, a motorcyclist, a golfer, and a fisherman. He truly lived his life to the fullest.

Most of all, Howard was a family man. Throughout his life he played many roles and played them all well. He was a son, a brother, a husband, a father, an uncle, a grandfather, and a great-grandfather. There was nothing he enjoyed more than being with his family. He loved his family and they all love him.

He is survived by his wife Bonnie; three sons and their wives, Brad and Sylvia Gray, Dan and Leigh Gray, and Tim and Linda Gray; five grandchildren, Bryan (Sarah) Gray, Sean Gray, Kelly (John) Estridge, Lindsey Gray, and Sarah (fiancé Josh Spears) Gray; and 12 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, Howard L. Gray; his mother, Una Gray; his sister, Betty Flurry; his son Douglas Gray; his daughter Sharon Gray; and his great-granddaughter Gracie Gray.

Memorial services will be 1:00 p.m. Thursday, February 23, 2017, at Flanner and Buchanan – Hamilton Memorial Park, 4180 Westfield Road. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Humane Society for Hamilton County. Online condolences may be shared by visiting www.flannerbuchanan.com.