Richard Lowell Gray

Dr. Richard Lowell Gray, 74, of Surprise, Arizona, passed away peacefully on January 20, 2026, surrounded by loved ones. Rich was born June 23, 1951 in Des Moines, Iowa, to Clyde and Jean Gray. Rich enrolled at Kansas State University in 1969, where he joined Army ROTC and became a member of Pershing Rifles. He was active on the Headhunters Exhibition Drill Team and was a founding member of the K-State University ROTC Ranger Team, which placed second nationally in the first National Army ROTC Ranger Competition in 1971. Rich earned multiple degrees from Kansas State University, including a B.S. in Cultural Anthropology and Archaeology (1974), an M.S. in Adult and Occupational Education (1977), an M.S. in Adult and Community Counseling (1978), and a Ph.D. in Community Counseling (1986). He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Infantry in 1974 and graduated as a Distinguished Graduate from the Infantry Officer Basic Course. His military training included Airborne and Ranger Schools. His awards included the Ranger Tab, Parachutist Wings, Expert Infantry Badge, and Vietnam Era Service Ribbon. Rich served as a platoon leader, executive officer, and organizational effectiveness consultant before honorably separating from the U.S. Army in 1977, where he was recognized among the top 10% of officers for promotion consideration. Rich was a fierce and passionate advocate for kids with disabilities. He mentored and inspired many in the field of mental health services. This included Director of Mental Health Services for the White Mountain Apache Tribe, Psychologist for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and with his own psychological practice to schools in northern Arizona, including the White Mountain Apache, Navajo, and Hopi Tribes. He provided Forensic / Police Psychology services to various police departments and state agencies in northern Arizona. He also provided expert testimony in numerous civil and criminal court cases. Rich worked as a Psychologist, Threat Manager, and Forensic Psychologist, providing his expertise to multiple school districts across Arizona. He served as Past-President of both the Arizona Counselors Association and the Arizona Mental Health Counselors Association, and as Western Region Representative on the Board of Directors of the American Mental Health Counselors Association. Rich also co-chaired the National Task Force on Multicultural Concerns for the American Mental Health Counselors Association and the Arizona State Task Force on Counselor Licensure. In addition, he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Arizona Counseling Journal, contributing significantly to the professional development of counselors statewide. Rich was instrumental in educating families and educators of the impact of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) to families. Rich was a kid at heart. He was an incredible Disney enthusiast. He was also a Star Trek and Star Wars fan. He was an eclectic music lover, with music defining his life. He loved being a grandfather to his grandsons and step grandchildren. He was extremely proud of his daughter and considers her his greatest achievement. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Jean Gray, and his sisters, Flora Mary “Babe” Hunt and Rebecca Thompson. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Wanda Gray; his daughter, Catherine Elizabeth (Dean) Hanna; his sister, Mary Catherine (Mark) Coolbaugh; and his brother, Robert Mathew Gray. He is also survived by six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be held March 6th, 2026 at 1:30 PM at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 2929 E Pinnacle Peak Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85024. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley (https://hov.org/) Rich lived life by the following motto: No mission too difficult, no sacrifice too great, Duty First!