Induction Graduation Sport

2017 1966 Football | Basketball | Baseball

Dr. Gregory Gray was born in Wooster, Ohio on August 24th, 1948 to Kenneth and Donna Gray. He had an older sister, Cheryl, a 1960 graduate of Hoover High School. The family moved to North Canton when Greg was i 3rd grade. He attended Portage Elementary, North Canton Junior High, and Hoover High School, graduating in 1966. As a senior, greg was voted "Most Likely to Succeed", "Most Athletic", "Best Liked", and "Heartthrob".

Greg's early sports endeavors included midget league football, church league basketball, and junior high basketball and football. He also played North Canton City League Basketball and Little League Baseball. Greg was on the 1961 North Canton Little League All Star Team, coached by Jerry Cain. At the time, they went further in tournament play than any other North Canton Little League team had gone before. Greg remembers the great community support for that team, as well as other North Canton sports teams.

On Hoover's football teams, Greg played quarterback all four years of high school, starting on the freshman team (1962), coached by Paul McDonald and Dan Gray. His sophomore year (1963), he was the backup quarterback for the Varsity team, coached by Don Hertler. Greg's junior (1964) and senior (1965) years, he started on the Varsity team playing quarterback. He lettered sophomore through senior year. During his senior year, he was honored as a Co-Captain. As a junior he received the Best Offensive Player Award, and as a senior he received the Most Valuable Player Award.

On Hoover's basketball teams, Greg played guard for the freshmen team (1962-62), coached by Ted Brown. His sophomore year (1963-64), he started playing on the Junior Varsity team, playing forward. As his sophomore season progressed, he was promoted to the Varsity team, coached by Gordon Knisley, continuing to play forward. During his junior (1964-65) and senior (1965-66) years, Greg was a starting forward on the Varsity team Offensive Player for both seasons. During his senior year, he was honored as a team Captain.

On Hoover's baseball team, Greg was selected to play on the Varsity team all four years. The Varsity baseball team was managed by Don Hertler, with Gordon Knisley also coaching all four years. As a freshman (1963), he started at centerfield, but was hurt early in the season while sliding into 2nd base. By the beginning of his sophomore year (1964), he was ready to return to the team, this time as the starting shortstop. He continued to start at short stop his junior (1965) and senior (1966) years, as well.

After Hoover, Greg attended Rutgers University and played for the university's freshman football team in 1966. He continued to play quarterback position and was also asked to play as a defensive back, specifically the safety position. After Greg attended Rutgers University as a freshman, he continued his education at The Ohio State University, graduating with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in 1970. He went on to medical school and graduated Cum Laude from The Ohio State  University with a BS in 1974. His internship was at the University of Texas Health Science Center Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Gray's residency was at The Ohio State University Department of Ophthalmology.

Dr. Gray had 38 years serving the community in the practice of Ophthalmology in Stark County. He was a part of the American Board of Ophthalmology, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, and the American Medical Association. He was also a part of the Ohio State Medical Society and the Cleveland Ophthalmologic Society. He is a member of the National Board of Medical Examiners and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is also a member of the Stark County Medical Society.

Greg is a former board member of the North Canton YMCA and he was in the Rotary Club. He was a past president of the North Canton Heritage Society. In his professional career, Dr. Gray was honored with certification of excellence in eye surgery through the American College of Eye Surgeons and the American Board of Eye Surgery.

Greg expanded his athletic ventures, starting with Alpine Mountain climbing. Greg successfully climbed numerous mountains, including the highest mountain peak in South America, Aconcagua (located in Argentina), and the highest mountain peak in North America, Denali (also known as Mount McKinley in Alaska). Greg also trained and competed in 1.5km swimming / 40km biking / 10km running triathlons. Greg has also taken up sailing, first building and leading a racing team on the Great Lakes, more recently, offshore and coastal cruising.

Greg and his wife, Maria, currently live on the Portage Lakes. In their free time, Greg and Maria enjoy traveling and reading. Dr. Gray has 3 children. Lindsay (Gray) Caffelle and her husband, Chip, live in Sarasota, Florida where she teaches music. She graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University with degrees in Music Education and Violin Performance. Sons, Bryan and Kevin, graduated from Malone with degrees in Biology and English, respectively. They also live in Florida. Kevin and his wife, Sheryl, live in Orlando where he teaches middle school English.

Greg remembers his five years at Hoover, particularly his athletic teams, fondly. He had wonderful coaches that encouraged not only great skills and teamwork, but also encouraged the teams to grow as young men with character. He still has close friendships with several members from his high school teams. These coaches and teammates have also become lifelong friends for which he is thankful.