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Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.

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Preferred Citation

Elmon T. Gray collection, 1931-2010. MS 0504. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.

Biographical / Historical

Elmon Taylor Gray (1925-2011) entered VMI in 1942 and left in 1944 to serve in the United States Navy. He returned to VMI and graduated in 1947 (his designated class is VMI Class of 1946). After graduation he joined his family's business, Gray Lumber Company, based in Waverly, Virginia. Gray also served on numerous corporate boards, including Virginia Electric and Power Company, First and Merchants National Bank, James River Bankshares Ltd., and Universal Corp.

In 1972, Gray became a member of the Senate of Virginia, filling the same seat his father had held. During two decades of senatorial service, he was a member of many key committees and was widely respected by colleagues of both parties. As the longtime chairman of the Senate's Education and Health Committee, he was one of the leaders in the effort that markedly improved higher education throughout Virginia. He also was instrumental in the creation of the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, Virginia.

In March 2009, VMI recognized Gray's service to the Commonwealth by presenting him the Harry F. Byrd Jr. '35 Public Service Award.

Gray had a great love of Virginia history. This led to his service as a trustee of the Virginia Historical Society, the Historic Petersburg Foundation, and the Jamestown Yorktown Foundation.

Within the VMI family, Gray was known for his exceptional devotion to VMI. He served as the president of the Board of Visitors from 1964 to 1966, and as the president of the VMI Alumni Association from 1971 to 1973. He was one of the lead contributors and co-general chairmen of The VMI Campaign, the first capital campaign on VMI's behalf, which ran from 1978 to 1990.. In 1980, the VMI's Board of Visitors awarded Gray VMI's highest honor, the New Market Medal. He was presented with the VMI Foundation's Distinguished Service Award and the VMI Keydet Club's Spirit of VMI Award in 1977 and 1991, respectively. In 2007, VMI further honored him by naming its renovated baseball field Gray-Minor Stadium (G. Gilmer Minor III '63 was the other honoree).

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of the personal papers of Elmon T. Gray, including various subject files, photographs, and certificates/commendations. Topics include: Childhood and Boy Scouts of America United States Navy service A scrapbook documenting his politcal career for 1971 Service to VMI Cadet class notebooks for organic chemistry This collection does not include any significant correspondence, either personal or professional.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Certificates
• Gray, Elmon T. (Elmon Taylor), 1925-2011
• Notebooks
• Scrapbooks
• Virginia Military Institute—Alumni—Biography
• Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1946