Obituary

Ricky Darryl Gray was born to Alfred H. Gray and Bertha Randolph Gray on Wednesday night, September 9, 1959, shortly after his parents finished watching the Ozzie and Harriet Show and retired for the night. Ricky arrived suddenly without any warning. He was named Ricky after Ricky Nelson, one of Ozzie and Harriet's sons. Ricky arrived ready for the world. He had things to learn, places to go and people to see, and he never stopped.

Ricky accepted Christ and was baptized by Rev. George Martin of Friendship Baptist Church in Riverhead New York. Church was a constant part of his upbringing, and he never strayed far from a desire to attend Sunday worship services.

Ricky attended Riverhead Public Schools and later received training from Sears in repairing appliances and also gained skills in electrical work and plumbing. He loved to work on cars, mechanically under the hood and as a detailer. He once was employed as a delivery truck driver and worked in a furniture store. He learned to paint, a skill he learned from his older brother, Theo. There was nothing he was afraid to try. Ricky was a handyman and for those that know him, the original Mr. Fixit. He would try to fix everything, often improvising solutions. The only thing that mattered was whether or not the appliance worked in the end. Ricky was always willing to help someone or give someone a ride to the store or wherever they needed to go. Once he was trimming trees with his brother Patrick when Patrick fell out of the tree, Ricky was there to catch his fall and keep his head from hitting the ground.

He had a personality and sense of humor that was larger than life. He liked to give people nicknames and always had a funny comment to make. Many of which cannot be repeated here.

His favorite pastime was hanging out and riding around with friends, telling lies (tall tales) in his words, drinking a few beers, and eating. He had a knack for finding a cookout or stopping by someone's home at mealtimes. He also enjoyed reading and keeping up with the news.

However, Ricky enjoyed any and every opportunity to spend time with his family. He was number seven of eight children. Whenever there was a holiday or just Sunday dinner, it was party time for Ricky. The room would be filled with joking and laughter.

In 1982 he became a dad for the first time, with the birth of his son, Ricky Gray, Jr. He passed on his love of cars to his son and taught him how to drive a stick-shift.

He always loved to help all that he came across. He also cared for (Granny) Parena Crump every chance he could. Ricky is going to be missed and forever loved.

Around 1999 he met the love of his life, Kisha Trent and they became parents to a bouncing baby boy whom they named Tyrece. Ricky also cherished his time spent with his grandchildren, Malia, Mia, and especially "MJ" Malik, Jr. "MJ" was crazy about his "Pocket Rick," (that's what he called him) not Poppa Rick. They are going to really miss him.

Ricky traveled home on the wings of angels on Sunday, September 14, 2025. He was preceded in death by his parents, niece; Melissa Leonard, nephews; Tarik Johnson Sr., and Patrick Gray, Jr.

He is survived by his devoted partner, Kisha Trent; sons, Ricky Gray, Jr.(Candace) and Tyrece Trent; bonus son, Malik Allen; bonus daughter, Kayla Trent; brothers, Theo Gray (April), Patrick Gray, Sr. (Denise), Alfred Gray, Earl Gray (Erin); sisters, Joyce Gray Johnson, Angela Leonard, Stephanie Gray Carter (Darnell); nephews, Justin Gray, John Donegain, Jr.; nieces, Danielle Reaves (James), Madison Gray, Tanya Chandler (Ronald), Carla Ellerbe (Eylik), and two great nephews, Tarik Johnson, Jr., James Patrick Reaves, and a host of cousins, other relatives, friends and one devoted friend, Ricky Giles.

Message from Kisha

Ricky and I were together for twenty-five years. He died protecting me. The last words he said to me were "I'm proud of you girl." I never thought that would be the last word's he'll ever say to me. We got together on his birthday twenty-five years ago and he died five days after his birthday protecting me. My partner, my friend, my love.

Always, Kisha

Acknowledgments

The family of Ricky Darryl Gray Sr. would like to thank everyone for all the special acts of kindness, your calls, cards, prayers, flowers, and visits during our time of bereavement. May God bless you one and all.