R. J. Gray

R. J. Gray was born in Texas in the midst of the Twentieth Century to a World War II Veteran and his beautiful bride. R.J.'s parents could not have been more in love, although they came from different backgrounds.

R.J.'s father was from the mountains of Pennsylvania and grew up on beautiful farm at the foot of the Chestnut Ridge. His family stretched back to the Colonial days in the Philadelphia area. One can only imagine the news that they discussed as the founding fathers of our nation went to work nearby!

R.J.'s mother was from a poor family whose roots began in Colonial Virginia and spread across Georgia and Tennessee. She settled in Texas picking cotton as a child.

His father was a soldier on his way to France to fight the Nazis, and was stationed in Dallas before leaving for Europe. He met his sweetheart there and their lives were forever intertwined.

R.J. was the second of their four children. He was sandwiched between an older brother, an only sister, and a baby brother, which kept him out of the "limelight."

He grew to love nature's beauty, family history, and quiet introspection. These attributes contributed to a love for writing the stories of the common man in America. "The Last Glowing Ember" begins the saga of a farm boy thrust into the bloodiest War in American history; "Rekindle The Flame" recounts his attempt to escape that nightmare.