Edward R. Grey Jr.

Edward R. Grey, Jr., age 91, husband of Nancy Lee Grey for 67 years, passed away peacefully at home on October 18, 2025. Born February 11,1934 in New Orleans, LA, he was the son of Edward R. Grey, Sr. and Virginia F. Grey. Ed’s first home was Destrehan Plantation, several miles up the Mississippi River from New Orleans, which at the time was owned by American Oil Company (Amoco), and later became Standard Oil. Ed’s grandfather was the refinery manager and Ed’s father worked for the Oil company as well. In 1941 his parents, Ed, and younger brother Barry moved to Savannah, GA where his father was Refinery Manager for Amoco Oil Company. Ed graduated from Savannah High School, class of 1952. Following graduation, he attended Georgia Tech in Atlanta, graduating in Industrial Management, March 1957. While at Georgia Tech he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and served as the House Chairman. He also was in the Naval Reserve Officers Training Program; staff member of "The Technique” school newspaper and a representative for the Interfraternity Council. In the summer prior his senior year at Tech, Ed worked for Amoco Oil Company in Newport News, VA where he met Nancy Lee Huffman. That Christmas lead to an engagement, and they were married the following March after his GA Tech graduation and enlistment into the U.S. Naval Air Flight training in Pensacola, FL. After he was commissioned and the completion of his active duty, he was offered the opportunity to transition the the Naval Reserves. He retired as a Commander in 1977 after 20 years of service in the Reserves. After his active Naval service in Pensacola, he and Nancy Lee returned to Newport News where he was employed by Dow Chemical Company in Williamsburg, VA. During this time their children, Virginia (Gin) and Bill were born. Later assignments with Dow Chemical had Ed and his family move to Cleveland, Ohio; Midland, Michigan; and Coral Gables, Florida. While in Coral Gables, Ed was in various management positions with Dow developing the Latin American business for the company. In 1972, the family returned to Newport News as Ed resigned from Dow for an opportunity to join Ferguson Enterprises, which was based in Newport News. In 1976, the family moved to Jacksonville, FL where Ed opened Grey Supply, a franchise of Ferguson. In 1979, he became a founding partner for Florida Hydronics, Inc. a distribution firm of heating and cooling equipment with facilities in Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa. After 24 years with the company, he retired from active management in 2003. Ed and his family were life long members of the Episcopal Church and members of The Church of Our Saviour in Mandarin, FL since 1976 where Ed served on the vestry for many years. Ed was active in many professional and civic organizations including Past President of Rotary Club of Mandarin where he received the District "Service Above Self Award" in 1992 and 2003, and Mandarin "Rotarian of the Year” in 1993. He was also Past President of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers of North Florida. Tennis became his sport of choice and he was an avid doubles player with his men’s group at the former Big Tree Racquet Club (now the Mandarin YMCA). He also served on the Jacksonville YMCA Tennis Advisory Board. But it was his love of the water and boating that was his real passion. He was on the Jacksonville Waterways Commission and member of the St. John’s Riverkeepers. After retirement, you could always find Ed and Nancy Lee on their Viking motor yacht, The Morgan Marie. Ed was Past Commodore of Epping Forest Yacht Club, Past Flag Officer for the Jacksonville Commodores League, member of Ponte Vedra Club and past member of the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, FL. Ed’s wife, Nancy Lee, predeceased him in 2024. He is survived by his children, daughter Virginia Crimmings (Craig) of Orlando, FL; son Bill Grey (Jerrine) of Georgetown, TX; granddaughter Morgan Grey of Austin, TX; grandson Marshall Grey (Taelor) and great-grandsons, Fletcher and Sullivan Grey, of McKinney, TX; sister-in-laws Polly Grey (Barry predeceased) of Jacksonville, FL; and Sally Sue Andrews (Wally predeceased) of Newport News, VA; and nephews and cousins. The family is deeply indebted to the wonderful caregivers who aided Ed in his final years. Always ready to step up and serve others, he was quick to assist anyone in need and had a great sense of humor. He is missed by those who had the wonderful fortune to know and love him. A private celebration of life and interment of ashes will be held at a later date in Mandarin, FL

Edward R. Grey Jr.

February 11, 1934 - October 18, 2025