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Gray, Phillip M.

March 19, 1950 –
 January 24, 2016

Obituary

Phillip Morris Gray, born March 19, 1950 to Morris James Gray, and Birma Marie Craven Gray, in Arthur City, Lamar County, Texas, in their home. Phil was a Math Genius, Pocket Billiard Expert, Quail Hunter, Fisherman, Gambler, Baseball Player, and Salesman.  Phil loved to Quail and Turkey hunt with his father at the Beverly Ranch in Chillicothe Texas, at the Army Corps of Engineers Land at Pat Mayse Lake in Lamar County, and at Lake Whitney in Hill County. Phil was an eyewitness to history, as he, and his school buddies decided to ditch school on November 22nd, 1963. They were standing on the Northeast corner of Houston and Elm, as The President, John F. Kennedy, his wife Jackie, The Governor of The State of Texas, John Connelly, and his wife Nellie, took a fateful drive, that beautiful fall day. That weekend, while Phil was watching live television, with his Mom, he witnessed Jack Ruby, shoot Lee Harvey Oswald. Phil was so shaken, that he spilled a hot cup of coffee in his lap. He was 13 years old. At the age of 14 Phil worked at the Alamo Pool Hall in Cockrell Hill, for time to play on the pool tables. In 1962, at the Grand Opening of Bronco Bowl Entertainment Center, while waiting for an available pool table,  he watched the beautiful Jayne Mansfield, as she  sign autographs, while she sat atop the shoe rental counter. Playing pool came naturally to Phil. He played with the best: Willie Mosconi, who set the world record by running 526 consecutive balls without a miss during a straight pool exhibition. Clarence “Titanic” Thompson:  He traveled the country wagering at cards, dice games, golf, shooting, billiardshorseshoes and proposition bets of his own devising. Buddy  (The Rifleman ) Hall, Dick Lane, Efran Reyes, Earl “The Pearl” Strickand, Bob Vanover, Craig Stevens, and the worst, Me(wife, Martha). Back in Persia there was a little boy being raise among the Palm , Date, Fig and Pomegranate Trees. Who would have ever imagined that an Oak Cliff Kid, and this little fella from the other side of the world, would grow up to be the Best of Friends. You were always a bright spot in his day, Eddie Bahrami, our dear friend. God Bless you, your wife Vickie, and your entire family. He began his work career at Texas Instruments during the Vietnam War years. From there he became a Quality Manager at AA Manufacturing, Logic Design Metals, and Electrospace Systems, where he traveled the country, as a Procurement Inspector for Government Contractors. When the company relocated to Waco, he began to follow his passion of buying and selling at Southlake Texas Market. He truly loved the Art of the Deal. Phil is survived by his mother, Birma Marie Gray, his only sister, Tina Marie Pratt, nephew Joseph Morris Pratt, niece, Layla,  his wife, Martha Gray, son,  Christopher Crutcher, daughter-in-law, Jennifer Crutcher, father-in-law, Robert “Bob” Burgett, mother-in-law, Julie Burgett, brother, Eddie Tolotti, sister-in-law, Janice Tolotti, his granddaughter, Mikaela Crutcher, sister- in- law Vonda Burgett,  Brittney Brawner, Chloe, Brother & sister in Christ, Paul and Sheri Debord, Anthony Craven,  Gregg and Misty. Charlotte and Merle Vanderburg, Jennifer and Patrick,  Louise Cooper,  Patricia and JoNell, Robbie Henson,  Christy and Chad,  Joann Davis, and Teresa, Judy Adcock, and Jayne Nutt, numerous nieces & and nephews, friends.  Thank you Ross & Lesa Weidenkeller, Diane Bird, Jerry & Darleen Miller, Kathleen Cherry, and Nick & Colleen Campbell for always being there for us. In lieu of flowers please give directly to a person in need, or to a charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the direction of ARIA Cremation Service and Funeral Home 19310 Preston Road Dallas, Texas 75252 214-306-6700 Scan0296 Scan0301 Scan0310 Scan0311

    Jackye and Cliff Taylor
    7 Feb 2016
    9:46am

    Love to you while you are recovering from this loss. Phil was the best thing that ever happened to you. You are the best! Love you!

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Testimonials

R. Driver
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"Excellent customer service, they made you feel like you were their only customer. Very helpful and explained what we should expect during the process. They basically took care of our needs during this time. They contacted DFW National Cemetery for us which made it a smooth experience. Definitely will use them again."
K. Barker
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"I was amazed how professional the team at Aria Funeral Preston Dallas Texas are. They guided me through the process and my options of their services that they offered for my mother. They are compassionate, caring, calm, good listener, efficient and did an excellent job! Thank you!"
R. Woll
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"If I could give 6 stars I would. Aria made a difficult easier to deal with by basically taking care of everything in an efficient but very empathetic manner. I can speak highly enough of Dusty Martin, who helped us with all of the planning and logistics. He was incredibly understanding and helpful."
Angel M.
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"Nothing prepares you for the grief you go through when losing a child. I called this funeral home at 2:00 am broken and could barely talk. The amount of compassion and empathy they showed me immediately let me know I found the right place to cremate my son. I cannot thank them enough for their professionalism, SINCERE concern, and commitment to making sure my son was honored in the most respectful way. I hope this Funeral home values her as much as my family and I do."
McGee Family
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"Wayne and Staff, thank you for taking care of the arrangements for our mom, Exter McGee and our dad, Philip McGee. You have been great to work with during such a difficult time."
Elledge Family
Elledge Family
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"On behalf of my family, I wanted you to know how much we appreciate your handling of my husband's final arrangements. Wayne Baxter assisted & guided us through the entire process with such care & compassion. Don't know what we would have done without him! Sincerely, Colleen Elledge"
The Peterson Family
The Peterson FamilyYelp! Review - Northwest Highway 5-Stars
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"I can’t say enough about how helpful and professional Dusty Martin, the funeral director at the Aria Cremation location on NW Highway has been. From my initial call, he was kind and informative. My friend died at home while on hospice and she was picked up in about an hour after receiving the call from the hospice nurse. The person who arrived to pick her up was also very professional/respectful and allowed us to take as much time with her as we wished. When I met with Dusty the next day about arrangements, he explained the process and options available without being pushy or trying to “sell” extras. Throughout the process, he kept me informed and, for example, was careful to be certain I understood the cost of the obituary I wanted and offered some options for reducing that cost if I wished. When I stopped by for another reason and started talking about some of the problems I was having with the pictures and media I hoped to use at a memorial lunch I was planning, he not only listened patiently but offered technology advice and let me use his personal media player. I have had experience arranging cremations for four others using two other local companies, and this experience with Dusty at Aria has been by far the best one I have had."
Paula Barnes
Paula BarnesGoogle Review
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"My Daddy’s service and our family experience at Aria Northwest Highway was truly blessed. Funeral Director Dustin Martin is the kind of person that you would like to see on a more regular basis – but in his industry – you hope to not see him that often. That being said – THANK YOU DUSTIN for your unending kindness, compassion and friendship through the process. Meeting you and discussing Dallas History, Find A Grave and my Dad’s lifelong contributions to the great City of Dallas was simply wonderful! In memory of my dad James A. Dodd, Sr. – I want to personally thank you and let you know that you made everything better in that moment. Your calling to “Be There” is spot on. Aria has a one in a million guy in you! Bling Blinky of TEXAS Shout Out: God Bless You!!"
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Preston Road

“George Bush at Preston”

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“5 Miles East of Hillcrest Memorial Park / Lake Highlands”

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Important Information

  1. If death has occurred and or is imminent, please call the Aria location nearest you.

    PRESTON ROAD
    214.306.6700

    NORTHWEST HIGHWAY
    214.340.8008

    BELTLINE ROAD
    972.607.4400

  2. Click here to Download the Cremation Forms.
  3. Have the cremation authorization form notarized
  4. Fax the forms back to us at:
    • NW Highway
      214-340-8009
    • Preston Rd.
      972-526-7410
    • Belt Line Rd.
      972-573-1008
 

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