Michael Kenneth Gray was the son of Kenneth Ward Gray and Grace Opal Forbes Gray. He built his public life in Bay County, Michigan, where he lived in Monitor Township and became closely involved in township, county, and regional civic affairs. He married Sally J. Gray on August 5, 1995, and they had two sons. Gray died suddenly on July 10, 2013, at the age of 54.
Gray attended Delta College, where he earned an Associate in Arts degree in 1979. He continued his education at Central Michigan University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in sociology in 1983 and a Master of Public Administration degree in 1991. His academic preparation in sociology and public administration complemented his later work in municipal and county government. He also served as an adjunct political science instructor at Delta College.
Gray began his working life as an automobile service technician with Sears, holding positions from 1976 to 1981. He subsequently worked as a radio operator for the Bay County Center Dispatch from 1983 to 2000. His public career began in Williams Township, where he served as a trustee from 1980 to 1984 and as township clerk from 1984 to 1993; he was elected by township voters each time he sought township office. During his final two years in township office, he was president of the Bay County Township Officers Association. In 1993 he achieved Certified Municipal Clerk status through the International Institute of Municipal Clerks and moved into Bay County government. He served for more than 19 years as assistant Bay County executive and directed the Recreation and Administrative Services Department, whose responsibilities included the county’s Americans with Disabilities Act coordination, animal control, buildings and grounds, information systems, public information, purchasing, and parks and recreation. He also supervised the Bay County Emergency Management Division. Beginning in 2006, when Bay County became the Region 3 Homeland Security fiduciary, he chaired the Homeland Security Planning Board. In county government he acted as a principal liaison with the Bay County Board of Commissioners and countywide elected officials and assisted the county executive with intergovernmental matters involving cities, townships, and school districts. He was also involved in county efforts to expand governmental collaboration and shared services. Alongside his governmental work, he taught political science as an adjunct instructor at Delta College.
Played a significant role in the initial phases of construction of Williams Township Park.
Helped bring the Auburn Branch Library to the city of Auburn.
Achieved Certified Municipal Clerk status through the International Institute of Municipal Clerks in 1993.
Chaired the Region 3 Homeland Security Planning Board beginning in 2006 while Bay County served as the region’s homeland security fiduciary.
Gray belonged to the International Institute of Municipal Clerks, the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks, the American Society for Public Administration, the Michigan Townships Association, the Michigan Society of Planning Officials, and the Michigan Municipal League. He was also associated with the Bay County Township Officers Association, the Bay County Clerks Association, the Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce, the Auburn Area Jaycees, the Bay County Growth Alliance, and Phi Theta Kappa. His documented leadership included president of the Bay County Township Officers Association, chairperson or president of the Bay County Library System Board of Trustees, the Bay Area Community Foundation, the East Central Michigan Planning and Development Regional Commission, and the Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce. He served as education chair of the Bay County Clerks Association and as president of the Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce.
Achieved Certified Municipal Clerk status in 1993.
International Institute of Municipal Clerks , United States
Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks , United States
Served as president during his final two years in township office and served on the association board.
Bay County Township Officers Association , United States
Served as president.
Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce , United States
Served as education chair.
Bay County Clerks Association , United States
American Society for Public Administration , United States
Michigan Townships Association , United States
Michigan Society of Planning Officials , United States
Michigan Municipal League , United States
Phi Theta Kappa , United States
Served as chairperson.
Bay County Library System Board of Trustees , United States
Served as chairperson or president.
Bay Area Community Foundation , United States
Served as chairperson or president.
East Central Michigan Planning and Development Regional Commission , United States
Participated in the organization.
Auburn Area Jaycees , United States
Participated in the organization.
Bay County Growth Alliance , United States
Gray was remembered by colleagues and friends as helpful, cooperative, friendly, and deeply committed to his family, community, and professional relationships.
Quotes from others about the person
Colleagues and friends remembered Gray as a remarkable, tremendous, and greatly missed person who was helpful and cooperative in his work with Bay County government and local politics.
Gray was married to Sally J. Gray. His family included sons Tim Urbanski and Michael Urbanski, daughter-in-law Anastasija Urbanski, granddaughter Alexandra, brother Steven Gray, and sister Vickey Martin. His parents were Kenneth Ward Gray and Grace Opal Forbes Gray. In civic life, he worked closely with Bay County, Williams Township, regional planning bodies, library leaders, community foundations, and local elected officials.
