Elder Edgar L. Gray

Edgar Leon Gray was called from labor to reward on Tuesday November 6, 2018. He fought the good fight and has finished his course and laid up for him is a crown of righteousness.

Edgar was born in Seattle, Washington on February 16, 1964 the fifth child of Edgar Gray Jr. and the late Mary Virginia Gray and the youngest of twin sons. He was an adventurous child, loyal to his twin – never revealing anything that could involve his twin.  When Michael Aaron, and Edgar Leon were thirty-two months old, in 1966, their father married Gladine Knauls, and provided the continuity of the traditional C.O.G.I.C. Christian home. From this home Edgar Leon received the spiritual nourishment and training to aid him to become a great gospel preacher and worker in the Lord’s Vineyard. 

Edgar is a son of the church and was raised in a loving, Christian home. He was active in the church as an usher, in the Sunshine Band, in Sunday School, attended church Boy Scout camp, YPWW, sang in the youth choir, the adult choir and soon accepted the Lord as his personal savior in 1981.

After graduating from Shorewood High School in 1982, Edgar attended Shoreline Community College until he enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1983. He served his country on multiple continents including Korea, Honduras, Iceland and Germany as well as in the US, in New Mexico and Nevada.  Shortly after he enlisted in 1983, his prayer for a wife was answered when he met Zelda Anita Cook, and in the summer of 1984, they were married. While stationed in New Mexico, Edgar was anointed in the music ministry to play the organ. Shortly thereafter, he felt a calling from the Lord and he was anointed to preach the Gospel. He would be a fourth generation Church of God in Christ Preacher in the Gray family.

He was honorably discharged from the US Air Force in 1991. After his discharge, God saw fit to bless Edgar and Zelda with twin baby boys – William Isaac and Edgar Leon. Edgar’s family was complete and he set about raising his sons in a loving Christian home and spending time with his lovely wife.

Minister E.L. Gray became the organist at Madison Temple COGIC and assumed a number of roles at his father’s church in support of that ministry after leaving active military service including Sunday School Teacher, Bible Band Teacher, Church Organist, piano player, Choir Member, and a member of the Madison Temple Board of Directors.

Elder Edgar Leon Gray was ordained in 1995 and became an Adjutant to Bishop T.L. Westbrook in the Washington State Jurisdiction. God’s anointing on his life continued as Edgar continued to support his father in the ministry at Madison Temple COGIC.

Edgar endeavored to pastor his own church was completed when he completed his bachelor’s degree in Pastoral Studies at Northwest Bible College in 1998. In 1999 Elder Edgar Gray establish Trinity Bible Fellowship in Ballard Washington, they Pastored there for 5 years. Edgar return to Madison Temple Church to continue the work he had started with his home church. Edgar held multiple offices, Superintendent of Sunday School, President of the Music Department, Leader of the Praise Team, Feeding Program, Chairman of the Board for Making A Difference Foundation. 

Edgar was a man of integrity. He was loved by all, he never met a stranger. He was kind, caring and he had a gentle spirit. He had a very special bond and close relationship with his sons. One thing everyone who met him could agree on, He was Faithful. He was Faithful to God, Faithful to Church, Faithful to his wife and family. He kept the Faith, and finished his course. Well done my good and Faithful servant. 

Edgar was preceded in death by his mother Mary Virginia Gray, his sister, Carol Rene’ Chappell, his maternal Grandmother, Josephine Irene Branham, his mother-in-law, Willa Mae Griffin and Father-in-law, James Griffin.

Edgar leaves to cherish his loving memory and celebrate his homegoing, his loving and devoted wife of thirty-four years, Zelda Anita Gray, his sons William Isaac Gray and Edgar Leon Gray ll, his father Pastor Edgar Gray Jr. (Gladine), brothers Michael Gray (TJ), Paul Gray (Sarah), and Wesley Gray (Anne), sisters Nancy Mohamed and Regina Hardy. Brother-in laws, James Griffin (Betty), Victor Cook, Calvin Cook, Edward Cook, Michael Cook, Sister in Law: Deborah Cook (Carl), Gail Perry (Anthony), Sister in Love, Sharon Presley (Jimmy), Linda Tanner, Karen Belin (Maurice), God Parents: George Darby (Leira) A host of Aunts and Uncles, Nieces, Nephews. friends, God Sisters, Brothers and Children and his Madison Temple Church Family. 

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