Thomas Russell Gray

Thomas Russell “Tom” Gray was born October 15, 1898 in Aledo, Texas and died June 20, 1971 in Fort Davis, Texas.

Tom Gray was a local rancher, in partnership with his sister Miss Willie Merrill, and the two of them inherited the grazing rights to the land comprising Indian Lodge State Park.

As a Deputy Sheriff, Gray worked under both Sheriff Walker and Sheriff Medley before being appointed Sheriff to replace Medley in 1949. Since Sheriff Medley had retired to resume ranching in the Valentine area, Sheriff Gray appointed Medley as his deputy in Valentine.

Following his two terms as Jeff Davis County Sheriff, Gray became the Department of Public Safety (DPS) radio dispatcher in Pecos, Texas. This position was an important communication tool for law enforcement throughout West Texas. With a strong transmission system, officers could relay messages to other units through the DPS system.

After his years as a dispatcher, Gray entered the Jeff Davis County Judges race in 1962. He prevailed over John Fitzgerald in a contentious court battle over the validity of absentee ballots and voter residency qualifications. Judge Gray resigned in 1971 due to ill health, passing away at home in June that same year.

Sheriff Gray was married to Myrtle Rice Gray.

Thomas Russell “Tom” Gray photo courtesy of Carl C. Williams collection

Photo courtesy of Ben Medley collection