PeopleRobert Ridgeley Gray

Robert Ridgeley Gray

Person
1 to 24 of 24 total items
includes dates: undated - 1950
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Group photo at dedication of school honoring Robert Ridgely Gray, circa early 2000s.

2000

Robert Ridgley served as principal of Fairmount Heights Elementary School on Addison Road from 1934- his retirement in 1970. Robert also served in the army (circa early 1940s), and was mayor of Fairmount Heights for a few years. Individuals left to right: Myron Gray, Cousin McKinley Gray and his wife Betty, Dean Matthews (son of Jean Matthews), and Kevin Harrell (grandson of Uncle Oscar).

Letter from Service Member

Letter from Service Member

1945

While in the army Clarence Gray writes to his brother also in service with news of home after a weekend leave.

Robert Ridgley Gray

Robert Ridgley Gray

During retirement program, Prince George's County Public Schools. School principal and Mayor of Fairmont Heights.

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Gray Family group photo taken in Lakeland home (where Paint Branch Elementary now stands).

Left to Right: (seated) Myron's aunt, Pauline Gray, and an unidentifiable couple. (Standing) Myron's mother, Emma Christine, Uncle Robert "Ridgley" (a long-time principal with school named after him in Capitol Heights), Robert's wife Mildred, Uncle Oscar, Uncle Oscar's wife Arleen, and Uncle Will. These aunts and uncles are siblings of Myron Gray's father, Clarence Gray Sr.

Memoir Page

Memoir Page

Hand written memories of Robert Ridgley Gray

Robert Ridgley Gray

Robert Ridgley Gray

Robert Ridgley Gray had a stellar career as an educator and civic leader. Born in 1910, he was the eighth child of James H. and Eliza E. Gray. In his unpublished memoir, Gray wrote: “In 1934, I had the honor of opening an eight–room school in Fairmount Heights. … At that time, this was the largest school in the state … built primarily for elementary education.” Gray served his country during World War II. In January 1946, he returned to the school and served as principal there until his 1970 retirement. In 1964, he chaired a bi-racial committee studying the problems of integration in Prince George’s County’s public schools. From 1977 to 1989, Gray was mayor of Fairmount Heights, Maryland. In 2001, a new county elementary school was named for him.