James A. Gray Jr.

James Alexander Gray Jr. (August 21, 1889 – October 29, 1952) was a president and chairman of R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He was the brother of fellow R.J. Reynolds president Bowman Gray Sr. He also served as a North Carolina state senator for two terms and as a philanthropist, donated to a variety of educational causes in North Carolina.

Early life and family Gray was born in Winston-Salem to Wachovia co-founder James Alexander Gray and the former Aurelia Bowman. After receiving his primary and secondary education in his hometown, Gray graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1908. In 1919, Gray joined the board of directors at Wachovia, on which he remained the rest of his life.

Gray lived in the house he was born in for his entire life. In 1924, Bowman was promoted to president of the company to succeed Reynolds' brother William Neal Reynolds, and in 1932 Bowman became the chairman of the board of directors.

On October 29, 1952, Gray died of a heart attack at a hospital in Winston-Salem at the age of 63. The next day, the Winston-Salem Journal wrote: "The death of James A. Gray casts a pall of sadness over this community and the entire State. Few have done more to advance the economic progress and promote the social welfare of Winston-Salem, Forsyth County and North Carolina as a whole than this quiet, unassuming business, civic and religious leader who for over forty years was an inspiring, dynamic influence in the life of the community and commonwealth."