Biography: Thomas Albert Gray, FAIA, died at home December 21, ten weeks after the death of his beloved wife and companion of 70 years, Ruth Ann. Mom was the self-professed love of his life, and they were married 64 years. Once they met in high school, they never dated anyone else. Dad said true happiness began for him the day they married. Dad was born December 16, 1928 in Indianapolis IN to Glenn Albert Gray (who died when dad was 13), and Dolores Snyder Gray Brown. He?s also preceded in death by a younger sister, Phyllis Walls. Dad retired as President and Chief Executive Officer of Wittenberg, Delony & Davidson, Inc., in 1987. His architecture career began at WD&D in 1957 as designer, quickly working his way up to Chief of Design and steadily advancing to President. He is responsible for many of the firm?s well-known buildings and major projects, which won regional, state, and national awards. He was member, Secretary, and, in 1975, President of the AR chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). He was Chairman of the AIA National Committee to coordinate the establishing of the Office of State Building Services. In 1987, he was awarded the AIA?s lifelong honor, a Fellowship, for his ?notable contribution to the profession in the areas of design, service, and practice.? In 2003 he was awarded the Fay Jones gold medal, named for his long-time friend and colleague. In 2004, he was inducted into the AR Construction Hall of Fame. Dad was proud of the fact WD&D, along with two other firms and several businesses, were responsible for the planting of trees in downtown Little Rock streets in 1966 -- a then unprecedented request that occasioned amending a city ordinance prohibiting trees on public rights of way. He was a member and secretary of the State Board of Architects, a board member of the AR AIA chapter, and sat on boards for the Pleasant Valley Country Club (he and mom were long-time members); AR Museum of Science and History; Florence Crittenton Home; and the Advisory Committee at the School of Architecture at the U of A, Fayetteville. Dad graduated with honors from Broad Ripple High School in 1947, where he and mom met. In 1953, he graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture from Cincinnati University in OH. He was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity as well as SCARAB, a national honorary architectural fraternity, where his senior thesis won an award. He and mom married in ?53, and he began a three-year stint as a jet fighter pilot in the Air Force. Dad had determined at an early age to be a ?doer,? or achiever, in the world. This striving for excellence, along with a deep respect for pilots and aviation as a boy and young man, made learning to fly a natural calling and competitive challenge. He said it was a thrilling period in his life. Testing his abilities and the limits of his plane through a series of dives, rolls, and cloud-bursts -- some maneuvers illegal -- was ?a joy impossible to fully articulate.? The Air Force brought them to AR, and when he was discharged in 1957 they decided to stay, impressed by the mild climate and friendly people. Dad lived a full life and excelled at whatever he put his mind to. Whether building a YFlyer sailboat with friends (he was a charter member of the Maumelle Sailing Club), organizing large group excursions for camping and floating the Buffalo River, hosting gourmet clubs, spending weekends sailing or waterskiing, teaching himself tennis (he played forty years), playing golf, or just working on projects around the house and making fun and fanciful bird houses, dad was always busy. He owned and co-owned sailboats for years. Some of mom and dad?s happiest trips were sailing the Chesapeake Bay, British Isles, Puget Sound, and the Caribbean. Mom and dad loved to travel and explored many states. Family vacations to FL were the norm for several years. One memorable trip was spent driving all the way through FL to the key islands. After retirement mom and dad rented a condo in Destin, FL for many years. They took family trips to England, France, and Italy, and went on cruises to Turkey, Greece, and Alaska. They enjoyed trips with friends to places as varied as John Gardner tennis ranch in AZ, Maya ruins outside of Mexico, or just nearby Eureka Springs and Memphis. Reading through old day books and calendars, it was amazing to note that not a week went by without at least three to four social engagements. Their many, many, true friends who loved and supported them through the years is certainly another reason they enjoyed such a wonderful life. Dad had a private side as well. He designed the family home, where he and mom lived happily for fifty-one years. He loved hanging out at home with family and friends, the theater, classic movies, music (jazz and Barbra Streisand in particular), art, books, fine food, cigars (back when he smoked), and dry martinis. He and mom held season tickets to The Rep and the symphony for many years. They were active in The AR Art Center. They doted on their cat companions through the decades. As long as they were together they were happy. Towards the end, as always, he adored being home with mom, drinking coffee, reading and talking in front of a fire. He was a fine and loyal man, a great friend, and an excellent father we will sorely miss and who we are forever grateful for. He leaves to cherish his memory two children, Steven Ward Gray (Susan); Amy Elizabeth Gray Light (?Excy? Johnston), and grandchildren Thomas Asher and Sarah Caroline Gray. The family would like to thank AR hospice and our parent?s two awesome care-givers, Rosaline Mix and Tiwanda Overton. A visitation and celebration of life is planned at Ruebel Funeral Home Wednesday, January 14, from 5 to 8 pm. An online guest book may be signed by visiting www.ruebelfuneralhome.com. A double interment will be held this spring. Should anyone wish to make a memorial in dad?s honor, please consider two charities he supported, Wing Spur Wild Horses, Inc., (wingspur.org) or Feline Rescue and Re-home (teamfurr.org