Obituary of Charles Douglas Gray

Charles (Chuck) Douglas Gray died on February 9, 2023 at his home in McLean, VA.  He was born on September 1, 1951 and grew up in Deansboro, NY.  He was the son of Charles Phillip Gray and Pauline Anna Nelson.  The oldest of five children, he was followed by sisters, Karen, Anne, and Phyllis, and brother, Robert.

Chuck graduated from Waterville Central School and Williams College.  He then went to Cornell Law School where he received his Juris Doctor in 1977 and met the love of his life, Susan Dee McCluskey.  They moved to the Washington, DC area and were married in McLean, VA in 1979, in the midst of one of the most notorious blizzards to ever strike the DC area.  In 1981, they moved to Arlington, VA to a house that they would live in for the next 41 years.

Chuck spent his career working for the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) for 37 years, starting as Deputy Assistant General Counsel and eventually spending 17 years as Executive Director, before retiring in 2015.  In the later years of his time at NARUC, his work took him around the world where he would meet with international regulatory bodies to share his expertise. 

Chuck enjoyed traveling, particularly family trips to Italy.  He loved a good glass of red wine and a well thought-out cheese plate.  He had an amazing sense of humor - ranging from the silliest puns to the wittest conversation – and he believed strongly that any good joke, or Marx Brothers or Airplane quote, should be told as often as possible. Having logged many hours in the old Caps Center, he was particularly happy to finally see the Washington Capitals win the Stanley Cup.  A joy that only grew when his beloved Washington Nationals won the World Series the next year.

Whether it was a small family dinner or a raucous Thanksgiving with 40+ people scattered around tables throughout a rental house, Chuck was happiest when surrounded by his family.  He loved spending time with his children, Charles and Johanna, and their spouses, Caroline and Dave, respectfully.  In the last few years, he adored playing with his grandchildren, Clara and Charles.

Chuck was an active member of his church, Mount Olivet United Methodist Church, where he accompanied the youth group on their yearly mission trips to build housing for those in need.  Over the course of 20+ years of these trips, he only lost one fingernail to an errant hammer and only suffered one serious back injury after falling off some scaffolding.  A price he was happy to pay to help support the youth of his church and give back to those less fortunate. Totally devoted to his children and their friends, Chuck was also a Boy Scout troop leader, went on countless Girl Scout camping trips, coached basketball and baseball teams, and taught countless teenagers both how to change a flat tire and to love classic rock.

Chuck was predeceased by his wife, Susan, and is survived by his children, Charles (Caroline) and Johanna (Dave), and his grandchildren, Clara and Charles. He is also survived by his four siblings and their spouses; more than a dozen nieces and nephews and their spouses and children; and a sprawling and loving extended family. 

A memorial service will be held at Mount Olivet United Methodist Church in Arlington, VA on February 25th, 2023 at 11:00 AM.  Livestream of the service is available here

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Chuck’s honor to Rebuilding Together DC-Alexandria, which provides repairs to allow those living in DC and Alexandria to remain in their homes.