Our dear brother Bobby passed peacefully while sitting in the sun and enjoying a beautiful day. Bobby and his loving wife, Elaine spent many years as a service-missionaries serving in The LDS Addiction Recovery Program. He was influential in establishing a safe place where anyone can find acceptance, compassion, help, support, truth, and healing. He always invited people to join recovery groups. Addiction Recovery Program meetings are places for healing, people don’t judge or stare. Bobby welcomed and supported many individuals through the recovery process. Countless families have found hope as he has helped their family members. He wrote The Unseen Enemy, as an autobiographical account of his road to recovery holding to the iron rod of the Book of Mormon. He also was a major contributor to the Addiction Recovery Workbook. He was survived by his family members, his mother, Helen H. The LDS Family Services Addiction Recovery Program gave meaning to my life.
Gray, Michael (Katherine), and Steven (Rachel), and Linda Gray, and Susie (Steve) Knott; and his grandchildren. He left the care of his best friend, Patch to his sister Linda. He was preceded in death by his father; Robert Mack Gray and his beloved wife, Elaine, and his nephew, Christopher Gray.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, June 10, 2021, at 2:00 p.m., The Wentworth at Coventry, 6898 S 2300 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84121 Salt Lake City. Interment, Farmington City Cemetery.
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Renee Reber Boyce
Robert Mack Gray Jr. had an eternally significant influence on my life. I met him, his wife and his father when that were all involved as missionaries at the Utah State Prison where I was an inmate and recovering addict. His book, the unseen enemy changed my life.
I am so sorry to hear of Bobby's passing- I have very fond memories of the Gray family and East Millcreek 7th Ward. My prayers will be for your families peac and comfort. What a wonderful tribute to a kind caring man.
Bobby and I shared some wild times in scouts and had some epic “dirt clod” battles in Cheney’s field.
Glad to hear he contributed so much to helping others, true charity. Godspeed Bobby, Godseed!
I grew up in the same neighborhood as Bobby. He was a few years younger than me and hung out with my younger brother for a while. I think it was around the mid or late 1980's he moved into the Valley View 4th ward where my wife and I were living at the time. As fate would have it Bobby became my home teaching companion. He was always a reliable and faithful home teaching partner for me. We became fairly good friends. Elaine and Bobby had us over for dinner at their residence too. I remember that Bobby had some special insights and sensitivity because of what he had gone through. He gave me a copy of his book-- which I read. When we went home teaching we oftentimes did some quirky things to liven things up a bit and make our home teaching experience fun. Because the movie "The Blues Brothers" had come out a few years earlier where the Blues Brothers kept saying "We are on a mission from God" I think we chose to have a similar fun-loving persona. I can't remember if Bobby and Elaine moved out of the Valley View 4th ward before we moved out and into our home in 1992 or afterwards but I eventually ended up with another home teaching companion in that ward before we moved so I think they moved out before we did probably. I did run into Bobby two or three times after that and we would still momentarily re-enact some of the quirky home teacher-isms which we had employed in prior years just for fun.
In addition to having Bobby for a friend and home teaching companion I also had the honor of having his dad Dr. Robert Gray as an instructor in my Medical Sociology class at the University of Utah in the late 1970's or early 1980's. I also consider Dr. Gray to be a friend of mine. I worked very hard in his class and earned an "A" grade with his excellent instruction. In early 1993 I encountered some severe health problems and my dad Keith (who was also a friend of Dr. Gray) arranged for Dr. Gray to come to my home and present me with some strategies for coping with my somewhat unique health issues. Some of his coping techniques really helped me.
I think that Dr. Gray and Bobby both had a very spiritual side. Hopefully some of that spiritual side has rubbed off onto me.
May the Lord bless and watch over the Gray family.
Reid Swenson
I remember family gatherings with fond memories of Robert and Elaine. Recently i was going through family pictures which included them. Sorry to learn of his passing.
Our love to his family.
Susan
Bobby was a good kid
My thoughts and prayers are with the family
Love Tom
I met Bob at his house while buying flags. As i was leaving he came running out and said that he felt inspired to give me his book. He said that he did not know why, but i needed that book. (we had discussed nothing about my family). I had a son that was struggling with alcohol and i was afraid that i would loose him. Bob was an answer to so many prayers. It confirmed to me that my father in heaven had heard my prayers and that he did care. I am forever grateful to Bob and my Father in Heaven. After Bob walked away i sat in my truck and cried. My son is sober now and i am blessed to enjoy his company.
So sorry to hear of Bobby's passing. Hugs and prayers to you all.
Cheryl