Gordon Benton Grayson

Master Chief Gordon Grayson, 91 years old, a proud veteran of the United States Navy passed away peacefully at home in Tavares, Florida on February 13, 2024.

Master Chief Gordon Benton Grayson was born May 6, 1932 in The Old Mobile General Hospital in Mobile, Alabama to parents Gordon Benton Grayson Sr. and Della Belle Ogletree. Due to his father’s employment with Weyerhaeuser they lived in 40 of the 48 states. His father purchased different types of lumber fields so they moved frequently. Gordon’s family settled in Browning Montana where he attended high school graduating in 1950.

 At the age of 20, Gordon joined the US Navy’s Construction Battalion known as the “Seabees” on July 15, 1952. 

He was stationed in Chaguaramas, Trinidad where he met his wife Rosemarie Bayne and after 18 months they were married in Port of Spain, Trinidad on October 31, 1962. 

While in the Navy he was stationed in the Philippines for 5 years, travelled to Rhoda, Spain, Antarctica and several other countries. He served one tour in Seoul, Korea and 4 tours in Vietnam. He was awarded many medals …Purple Heart, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean & Vietnam Service Medal with Palm, Air Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Navy Achievement Medal with Valor, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, Vietnamese Expert Pistol Medal, and Vietnam Cross of Gallantry Sharpshooter Pistol.

Gordon worked 10 years for Aaron Rents, becoming a Southwest Regional Manager. He joined Culligan in Dallas and became their senior water specialist. He chose to completely retire in 1975 living in Plano, Texas and in their lake home on Lake Texoma in Kingston, Oklahoma. Gordon and Rosemarie moved to Florida in 2006 living first in Eustis and finally in Tavares. 

Gordon was a very faithful, constant and loving husband to Rosemarie. Anything Rosemarie wanted or needed Gordon would try and fulfill all her wishes. Gordon was a humble and private veteran who seldom shared his military experience and looked upon it as his job to serve his country. Everyone who knew him admired his perfectionism, organizational abilities and his expertise in fixing everything, including the kitchen sink. 

Gordon was a strong and vital man right up to his death, this is evident in the fact that he rode his beloved 2005 Honda VTX 1300 Motorcycle up until his 90th year.  

Gordon passed away peacefully at home on February 13, after a short battle with cancer. Prior to his death on his final day, family and friends joined Rosemarie at their home in Tavares and participated in a beautiful and touching Final Salute Ceremony, offered by the Veterans, to honor and thank Gordon for his faithful service to his country and bid him “fair winds and safe seas.” He is survived by his devoted wife of 61 years Rosemarie, and loving and devoted brother in laws Andrew (Ginny) Bayne, Joe (Judy) Bayne, and sister in law Diana (Malcolm) Gurley. Gordon is predeceased in death by his parents, Gordon and Della Grayson, his brother Delano Grayson and daughter Karen Grayson.

Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church, 218 Ocklawaha Avenue, Eustis, on Monday, February 26, 2024 at 10:00 AM.

 Rosemarie welcomes any and all stories, photos, and memories that Gordon’s family, friends and colleagues would like to offer. 

In lieu of flowers, in appreciation for the exceptional loving hospice care received, Rosemarie suggests memorial contributions be sent to Vitas Healthcare, 6909 Old Hwy 441, Ste 105, Team 2505, Mt Dora, FL 32757