John R. Gray

John R. Gray. "He was born with compassion" is the way John R. Gray was described by his daughter, Terry Gray Chandler, and is remembered by those who knew him. His outward appearances portrayed him as a gruff cowboy, but he was known as a benefactor in his town, where he generously contributed to efforts that would benefit the community and children, in particular. , In the oil and gas industry, John R. Gray maintained a reputation as an ethical, hard-working businessman. Spending his whole life in the oil patch, with the exception of his military service, Gray developed a thorough understanding of the business at a young age. He worked for C. H. Mahres Drilling, then National Drilling Company before he began pursuit of his own business ventures, which led him to establish Gray Pumping Service. It was in the field that he met and entered into business dealings with Mack Chase. The friendship led to the formation of Marbob Energy Corporation in 1972. , Gray's son, Johnny C. Gray, attributes his father's success to his drive to work hard and the attitude that his employees were his family. He never believed that he could have built a company by himself, and he valued his employees for the parts they played in the successful growth of Marbob Energy Corporation. , Throughout his life, Gray remained committed to his family, his business, and the community without seeking recognition. He passed away on October 28, 2001. , "His trademark – his large cowboy hat – was exceeded in size only by his heart."