Knox-Kennebec County ME Archives Obituaries.....GRAY, Carl Raymond May 9, 1939 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/me/mefiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Bill Boggess william-boggess@webtv.net February 20, 2006, 4:41 pm The Courier-Gazette, May 11, 1939 (transcribed 02/20/06)               --------------               The Courier-Gazette Rockland, Maine Thursday May 11, 1939 front page                 ----------------       "GRAY OF THE UNION PACIFIC"                 -------------- Former Railroad President and Cushing Summer Resident Found Dead in His Hotel                  -------------       Carl R Gray, 71, vice chairman of the Board of the Union Pacific railroad and its former president, was found dead in bed Tuesday at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D C.       Discovery of Gray's death was made when associates went to his room to awaken him around 10 a m.     A son, Russell Gray of Wellesley, Mass. said his father was feeling well when he retired Monday night after having dinner with another son, Carl R Gray, Jr, of St Paul, Minn. The elder Gray's home was New York.       The three Grays were in the city on different matters. Russell Gray said his father was there on "national transportation matters."       Carl Gray, Sr, had served on President Roosevelt's joint labor-management committee appointed to work out a plan for reviving the nation's railroads.       Few called him Carl Raymond Gray, for 17 years president of the Union Pacific system and later vice chairman of the Board of Directors. He was, as he wanted to be simply -- "Gray of the Union Pacific."       Death was attributed to a heart attack which came after six strenuous months as a member of the President's Committee of Six---a group appointed to make recommendations for the rehabilitation of the nation's railroads.       He had taken part in frequent conferences with President Roosevelt, a close friend and Congressional committee in an effort to work out a program to help the railroads.       Gray's death was marked by a singular coincidence -- a coincidence of honor. Within a few hours after his death the historic Union Pacific train which had been used in exploitation of the motion picture "Union Pacific." was scheduled to arrive for exhibition in the Capital.       This picture was being shown at the Strand Theatre in this city when news of Mr Gray's death came.       "Gray of the Union Pacific" had expressed keenest interest in the filming of the saga of railroad --- a saga in which he played a long and real role.       Gray joined the Union Pacific system in 1920 as president, He remained in that post to see it turned into one of the most modernized lines in the country its snub-nosed streamliners streaking across the plains at record speed. In 1937, he became vice chairman.       Though he remained active until his death today, Gray was concerned deeply with the plight of all railroads. He could have retired to an easy old age, but he gave long hours to the President's Committee.       Gray's acquaintance among railroad men probably was widest enjoyed by any railroader in the Country. He had served from             ************             PICTURE             ************ telegrapher to president on any of the chief railroads systems and his activities had taken him from coast to coast.       Beginning with the old St Louis and San Francisco Railroad, he rose from station master to senior vice president. Next he went to the Chicago and Eastern Illinois, next to Spokane, Portland and Seattle Electric Railway, and in 1914, he became president of the Great Northern.       Coming East, Gray became chairman of the Wheeling Railway then president of the Western Maryland Railroad. Then unfolded for him the great career of his life --- the presidency of the Union Pacific. At the rime of his death he was one of the directors of Maine Central Railroad [also a Trustee of his fathers college, Colby College, Waterville, ME]          Summered in Knox County       Mr Gray was a summer resident of Pleasant Point, Cushing never so happy as when vacation time came and he could retire to the Maine coast to enjoy the charming scenery and dlightful climate which it afforded. Mr Gray never failed to indentify himself with civic undertakings in Knox County, and his benefactions were as liberal as they were almost unknown to te public at large. He was extremely democratic in his manner, and a delightful companion at any gathering. He had spoken occasionally before service clubs and on some public occasins after the World War told of a fascinated Rockland audience some details in connection with the railroads co-operation during that crucil period in the nation's history.He spoke very modestly, however, about the important part which he played in handling the railroads at that time.       Mrs Gray, who survives her husband was designated in 1937 as "The American Mother." after search for somebody who typified the ideals of American motherhood. Like her late husband she has greatly endeared herself to residents of Knox County for her work in behalf of the churches and civic interests. <>-------<>-------<> Additional Comments: Buried at Druid Ridge Cemetery, Baltimore, Maryland, see http://www.crowolf.net/illuminations/000039.html Son of Virginia LaFayette (Davis) GRAY d/o Capt George Davis (1798ME-1870AR) & Oliver Crosby GRAY, s/o Dr Peter Tufts Gray (1787MA-1838ME) Carl was on the Board of Trustees of Colby College, Waterville, Maine, where his father graduanted in Class of 1855 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/me/knox/obits/gray10ob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/mefiles/ File size: 5.9 Kb