Gilbert Gray, Sr.
General Information
- Male
- Black/African American
- September 9, 1892
- Clarksville, Red River Co., TX, USA
- August 24, 1966
- Phoenix, Maricopa Co, AZ, USA
Legislative Resolution
View Legislative Resolution File for Gilbert Gray, Sr.Biographical Information
The following is from the Legislative death resolution:
A former member of the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona, the Honorable Gilbert Gray, Sr., passed away on August 24, 1966 in the City of Phoenix. He was seventy-three years old.
Gilbert Gray was born September 9, 1892 in Clarksville, Texas. He came to Phoenix in May of 1928, moving here from Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Mr. Gray was very active in civic affairs in his community. He was a founder and Past President of the Westside Civic League, was a member of the Phoenix Urban League, served on the committee which selected the site for Alkire City Park, was a Past President of the Maricopa County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, was a member of the National Sheriff's Association, and, in 1960, he was awarded the Charles D. Poston Urban League Award for outstanding contributions in the field of human relations.
He was a Past Deputy Grand Master of the Prince Hall Masons of Arizona jurisdiction, and was a member of the Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Masons of the Prince Hall affiliation. He was also at one time a deacon in the Shiloh Baptist Church and later was a founder of Mount Calvary Baptist Church.
Mr. Gray was honored by the people in his area by their electing him to serve as a member of the House of Representatives during the Twenty-fifth Legislature. While there, he sponsored a Bill which repealed the Territorial Law which prevented marriages between Caucasians and members of other races. He was also an active member of the Standing Committees of Agriculture and Irrigation, Banking, Insurance and Corporations, Civil Defense and Veterans Affairs, Municipalities, Ways and Means, and Welfare, and was Vice-chairman of the Public Health Committee.
Employment
| Occupation | Title | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture/Farming/Ranching | cotton farmer | |
| Community/Social Services/Religious | president, Maricopa County Branch of National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) | |
| Transportation/Lodging | owner, service station |
Arizona Legislative Service
| Session | Chamber | Party | District | City | County | Office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25th Legislature, 1st Regular | House | Democrat | Maricopa-08 - (1931-66 House) | Phoenix | Maricopa | ||
| 25th Legislature, 2nd Regular | House | Democrat | Maricopa-08 - (1931-66 House) | Phoenix | Maricopa |