As Introduced
135th General Assembly
Regular Session S. R. No. 291
2023-2024
Senators Huffman, S., DeMora
Cosponsors: Senators Antani, Antonio, Blessing, Brenner, Chavez, Cirino, Craig,
Dolan, Gavarone, Hackett, Hicks-Hudson, Huffman, M., Ingram, Johnson, Kunze,
Landis, Lang, Manning, McColley, O'Brien, Reineke, Reynolds, Roegner,
Romanchuk, Rulli, Schaffer, Schuring, Smith, Sykes, Wilkin, Wilson
A RESOLUTION
In memory of Theodore M. Gray, Jr.
WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the 135th General Assembly 1
of Ohio pay tribute to the memory of Theodore M. Gray, Jr., who was 2
esteemed as a the longest-serving member of the Ohio Senate; and 3
WHEREAS, Ted Gray will be remembered fondly by all those who knew 4
and loved him, and his absence will leave an irreparable void in our 5
society. Respected for his tenure with the Ohio Senate, he was an 6
adept historian and applied his knowledge to advocate for the growth 7
and progress of the State of Ohio and its people. Indeed, during his 8
forty-three years as a legislator, he was a fine ambassador and 9
committed himself to public service in his roles as the president pro 10
tempore, the majority leader for the chamber, and the chair of the 11
Finance Committee; and 12
WHEREAS, In 1951, Ted Gray was sworn in to the Ohio Senate at the 13
age of twenty-three, and he remains the youngest state senator to be 14
elected, serving eleven-consecutive terms that spanned more than 15
forty-three years in office. He garnered lasting respect from his 16
peers as well as his constituents, and his stalwart legacy to our 17
state will endure as a result of his passion for community service as 18
well as his positive philosophy to public life; and 19
WHEREAS, Ted Gray made the world much fuller for many, and he was 20
especially devoted to the individuals who had a treasured relationship 21
S. R. No. 291 Page 2
As Introduced
with him, including his five children, Scarlett, Thackery, Timothy, 22
Theodore, and Laurie, his six grandchildren, thirteen great- 23
grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren, and his sisters 24
and extended relatives. All those who cherished him can find strength 25
and solace in the happy moments shared with this great man, who will 26
be remembered for his visionary example of citizenship; therefore be 27
it 28
RESOLVED, That we, the members of the Senate of the 135th General 29
Assembly of Ohio, in adopting this Resolution, offer our heartfelt 30
condolences to the family and friends of Theodore M. Gray, Jr., and 31
express not only a profound sense of loss on the sorrowful occasion of 32
his death but also awe and praise for the exponential benefit Ohio 33
gained from his life’s work; and be it further 34
RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit a duly 35
authenticated copy of this Resolution to the family of Theodore M. 36
Gray, Jr. 37