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Notices are posted by 10 am Monday through Saturday
JERRY L. GRAY
The family of Jerry Gray are saddened to announce his passing peacefully at Victoria General Hospital on Sunday, October 12, 2025.
He is survived by his son Derek and his wife Emily of Portland, Oregon, his sister Mary Kimmel and her husband Brad of Evansville, Indiana, his brother Bob Gray of Louisville, Kentucky, his beloved partner Nancy Sulkers, and his many nieces and nephews in southern Indiana and southern Illinois. He was predeceased by his wife Lynda in 2012.
Jerry was born in Evansville, Indiana and first attended Washington University in St. Louis to study architecture. It didn’t go well. His fellow students called him "Frank Lloyd Wrong". In 1962 he switched to Evansville College (now University of Evansville) to study business and graduated in 1965. He then entered graduate school and Southern Illinois University and graduated in 1967 with a master’s degree in management. In 1967 he entered the Ph.D. program and the University of South Carolina and received his Ph.D. in management in 1970.
He and Lynda were married in 1970 and immediately moved to Winnipeg where he had accepted a position at the Faculty of Commerce (now the I.H. Asper School of Business) where he retired as Dean Emeritus in 2005.
During his university days, Jerry was a busy boy. He played six nights a week in a band (The Foremosts), worked 40 hours/week at Old National Bank, and took a full load of classes each term. When he moved to South Carolina, he had to give up his music "career" but continued to play for fun. His guitars were kept close by and he played continually up until his last year.
Jerry’s passion was fishing. He and best friend Fred Starke travelled every summer to northern Canada in search of the elusive 50 pound lake trout, most often to Nuelton Lake. Their furthest trip was to the Arctic Ocean just south of Baffin Island.
Jerry enjoyed his university career, especially teaching. He taught classes up until his retirement. Although he used textbooks (including the ones he had written), his classes consisted of stories, examples, jokes and personal case studies. Many students remember "The Norm of Social Reciprocity" and still practice it today. He published several articles in leading journals and four books - two scholarly and two textbooks. He also taught many management seminars to managers, in both the public and private sectors starting in 1972. He taught seminars in Canada, the U.S., England, China and Malaysia. He also carried on an active consulting practice working with organizations across Canada and the U.S.
After his retirement, Jerry embarked on a career of community service. He served as Chair of the WRHA, President of the Manitoba Club, and Chair of the Friends of Upper Fort Garry. He also served on the corporate boards of Pollard Banknote (18 years), Gendis, Inc. (10 years) and numerous small companies and start-ups.
A Celebration of Life memorial reception will be held 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Monday, October 27, 2025 at The Gates on Roblin, 6945 Roblin Blvd., Headingley, MB.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 18, 2025
Condolences & Memories (6 entries)
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truly a gentleman and a scholar. He will be missed. - Posted by: marc desrosiers (university colleague and friend) on: Oct 19, 2025
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My condolences to Jerry’s family and friends. He will be remembered with admiration and fond memories. My late husband was on faculty from 1972 to 1996 having moved to Winnipeg from Bloomington, Indiana. RIP, Jerry. - Posted by: Vicky Wilson (Widow of late colleague of Jerry) on: Oct 19, 2025
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Jerry (& Fred Starke) were my mentors. I was taught and a TA for both in the late 70’s. Jerry hired me to teach right after I obtained my MBA when he was department head. He went on to become associate dean right after. We stayed in touch when I moved to Colorado and would have lunch when he came to town for Great West Life board meetings. I also saw him in Winnipeg when I was home to visit family. He was an amazing man and captivated his classes with incredible stories. I’m so very sorry to hear of his passing. May his memory be a blessing to all who knew and loved him. - Posted by: Irene Rabb Zimmer (Student, employee & friend) on: Oct 18, 2025
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Dr. Gray was one of best professors a student could ask for. Engaging, informative, with a genuine concern for the students. Thanks for your courses. Thanks for your efforts resulting in the revival of Upper Fort Garry. I hope you find many a Jaguar car in heaven to tool around in, your first, the green XKE V12 coupe was a standout star in the parking lot of the Frank Kennedy/Commerce parking lot. Fitting for a standout prof. - Posted by: Allen Lasko (former student) on: Oct 18, 2025
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So very sorry to learn of Jerry’s passing. I had the privilege of studying under both Jerry Gray and Fred Starke at the UofM in the early 70’s and both had a lasting impact on me throughout my own career. My sincerest condolences to Jerry’s family. - Posted by: Ken Cranston (Former student and friend) on: Oct 18, 2025
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I am so sorry to be reading this as I reached out to Jerry a couple of times over the past year hoping to get together but his health just wasn't up to it. Jerry will always have a special place for me as he served as the lead director and board chair of Gendis Inc. for many years. This included the most difficult time in my life during the sale of our former retail business. At one point it looked like the deal wasn't going to happen and our entire company was threatened. Lawsuits, calls from the bank and various suppliers as well as a daily flow of concerned employees into my office was extremely difficult and incredibly stressful. One particularly tough day I called Jerry and asked if he could just come down and provide some moral support. Without any hesitation he was there within an hour sitting with me in my office giving advice and basically helping me withstand the ongoing crisis at hand. The next day he was back and this continued for a couple of weeks. After we were able to sell the business and it went through a major restructuring he continued to serve as board chair and was always a steadfast support to me. Our breakfast meetings at the Holiday Inn on Pembina Highway were a tradition every few months when we would update each other on various life events including our mutual love of classic cars and guitars. As a donor to Upper Fort Garry Provincial Park I saw Jerry's commitment to the community firsthand as he was tireless in his efforts to see the project completed. He was also a huge fan of the Blue Bombers and we would often talk about previous or upcoming games prior to board meetings. I will miss his big laugh and friendly nature. Goodbye old friend ! James Cohen, President and CEO, Gendis Inc. - Posted by: James Cohen (Friend) on: Oct 18, 2025