Thomas A. Degray

LADY'S ISLAND - Tom DeGray, beloved husband, father, brother and grandfather, died at home in his sleep Sunday morning May 24th at 9:00 AM. He succumbed to a debilitating neurological disorder that he bravely fought for three years. His loving and devoted wife Ellen was at his side. He graduated from Williams College in 1961, received a Master's Degree in Mathematics from Bowdoin College and subsequently led an accomplished life as an educator, serving as a teacher, director of admissions and Headmaster at a variety of independent schools including Lawrenceville, Western Reserve Academy, Groton and Peddie. He was an inspiration and role model for the thousands of students he coached, taught, and advised throughout his long and distinguished career. He was a three sport athlete through high school and college and coached football, wrestling and lacrosse during his long career in education.  In addition to his wife Ellen, he is survived by his sisters Barbara Herold and Tensi Boylan, children Tracy, Tad, and Terri, his seven grandchildren Emma, Ben, Nate, Tim, Alex, Eli and Casey and a host of nieces and nephews. He will be sorely missed by his family and the communities of Rangeley, Maine and Beaufort, South Carolina where he lived after his retirement from education and where he stayed busy and active playing golf and tennis and hiking with family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at The Peddie School Chapel in Hightstown, New Jersey at 10:00 A.M. on Friday September 4th, 2015.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in the name of Thomas DeGray to HELP of Beaufort, 1910 Baggett Street, Beaufort, South Carolina 29902 or to the Scholarship Fund at The Peddie School C/O the Development Office, Peddie School, 201 South Main Street, Hightstown, NJ 08520-3349.