Richard "Rik" Joseph Gray

Richard (Rik) Joseph Gray, 50, of Bel Air, Maryland passed away on May 21, 2021 peacefully in his seep after battling colon cancer. Rik's Celebration of Life will be held on June 19, 2021 at 10 am at North Glen Community Church. Pastor Paul Bachmann of the Church will be officiating. Rik loved attending his Church.

Rik was born in Baltimore, Maryland in the back of a police car on July 7, 1970 to his biological parents, Margaret Rader (Williams) and Robert Singleton. Rik was raised by Mr. Joseph and Mrs. Alma Gray since 1972 in the Bel Air area in Maryland and was later adopted by them when he was a teenager. Rik is preceded in death by both his biological and adopted parents, all his grandparents, and his 2 brothers, Kenneth Gray and Earl Gray.

Rik graduated from Bel Air High School. Rik was a crew leader and manager at various restaurants. He served in the Army for 4 years during the Gulf War (Desert Storm) and did 2 tours in Afghanistan. Rik also served in the National Guard for 16 years. Rik was a student at UMBC who was studying psychology to become a Social Worker.

Rik is survived by his siblings, Robert Barron, Melissa Rassen, Timothy Dowis, Linda Losh, Donald Lee, Anastasia Rader, Jessica Rader, and Ardeania Dejesus. Also many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He will be missed by those who knew and loved him.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations of Petco gift cards may be given to help take care of his animals. Also canned/non-perishable food items can be donated to the Church he attended to help feed the homeless: North Glen Community Church, 508 W. Furnace Branch Rd., Glen Burnie, MD 21061.