| Graduation Year | Faculty |
| Date of Passing | Aug 30, 2014 |
| About | Melvin D. Gray, 92, a long time Rush and Franklin County resident passed away in Batesville, IN on August 30, 2014. Melvin was born in Fayette County, IN on May 30, 1922 to the late Wendell P. and Roxie (Kennedy) Gray. He was a 1940 graduate of Rushville High School. Melvin married Ellen Charlene “Pinkie” (Call) on December 23, 1950 and she survives. Melvin served in the United States Army Air Corps 39th Fighter Squadron and the 5th Army Air Corps during WWII as a Communications Tech in the Pacific theater in the Philippines, New Guinea and Okinawa. He received 8 Bronze Stars and an Asian Pacific Ribbon. Melvin was a graduate of Butler University in 1951 and the John Herron Art Institute, Indiana State and Ball State Universities and received his Master’s Degree in 1960. Melvin taught art classes to children at the Indianapolis Museum of Art while attending John Herron Art Institute. Melvin was written about in an article in the 1960’s magazine Indiana Live. He was an artist and teacher at Rockville, IN from 1951 to 1955 and retired from Rushville Consolidated High School in 1979. He designed the Senior Circle at Rushville Consolidated High School, was a co-founder of the Homer Arts Festival, a member of the Rush County Retired Teachers Association, a member of the Rushville Masonic Lodge #62, York Rite and the Park County Row 12 Club. Melvin was a past President of the Indiana Arts Education Association and the Art Section for the Indiana State Teachers Association; he was the Rushville Creative Art Association founder, the first Indiana Representative to the National Art Teachers Association, Director of the Rush County Arts Board, and Representative to the Governors Commission of the Arts. In 1999 he received the Rushville High School-Rush County Consolidated High School Distinguished Alumni Award. In addition to his wife, Ellen of Tucson AZ, Melvin leaves behind 2 sons, Jon Alan Gray and wife Louise of Milroy, IN and Warren Jay Gray and wife Sheila of Brighton, TN, 3 daughters Judith Ann Gray of Washington, DC, Marlesa Arlene Gray of Tucson AZ and Lora Jennifer and husband Charles Allen of Metamora, IN, -6 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.. Melvin was preceded in death by his parents and a sister. Following cremation a Celebration of Life service will take place in November at a time to be announced later. The public will be invited. Memorial contributions may be made to the Joe Archer Art Scholarship Fund and the Bob and Emmy Wagoner Fund, both thru the Rush County Community Foundation. |
