Cecil Newell Gray Jr.

Cecil Newell Gray Jr., age 81, passed away at Circle of Life in Bentonville, Arkansas on Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025. He was born on Sunday, February 27th, 1944 in Houston, Texas to Cecil Newell Sr. and Mary Margaret Gray (Moulder).

Cecil grew up in Angleton, Texas and graduated from Angleton High School. When he was 19 he moved to Rogers, Arkansas. He was an apprentice electrician until he moved to Arkansas, where he started working at RTW. He eventually quit there and opened up his own business as an automotive repairman called C&D Enterprise. He flew remote control airplanes, which he built, and he was president of the Flying Tigers club for 14 years. He loved to bowl, and was serious about it, sponsoring his own C&D Enterprise league. After he retired, he and his wife Jody, travelled around the United States in a motor home. He also continued to work maintaining several different car washes in the area, and selling fireworks.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Mary; one brother, Richard Gray; and one sister, Mary Morgan.

Cecil is survived by his wife of 39 years, Jody Gray; four children, Clayton Gray (Lesa Gobble), Sharon Hylton (Troy), Kevin Gray (Barbara), and Tim Payne; eight grandchildren, Colby Hylton, Kristin Collins, Madison Payne, Skyler Payne, Shea Payne, Nicole Burnham, Cassie Rogers, and Shyanne Burnham; ten great-grandchildren; one sister, Margaret Anderson; many nieces and nephews; and lots of friends.

There will be a Celebration of Life service at Hope Church in Bentonville (1700 Moberly Lane) on Saturday, September 6th, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., Perry Morgan officiating.

Donations may be sent to Circle of Life Hospice House in Bentonville in his memory.