Howard
Gray
In Memoriam: Honoring Construction Leader Howard Gray (1949–2025)
Gray Reflects on the Life of Its Foundational Leader & His Enduring Impact
On November 5, 2025, we lost a renowned leader in the design-build industry. Carl Clifford Howard Gray, known as Howard, passed away following a four-decade, courageous battle with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Born in Glasgow, Kentucky in 1949, Howard entered the world during a time of global tension and transformation. That same year, the Cold War intensified with the Soviet Union’s first atomic bomb test, NATO was formed, and Harry Truman led the United States as its 33rd President. Yet in the quiet of Kentucky, a boy named after his maternal grandfather, Dr. C.C. Howard, began a life that would be defined not by conflict, but by compassion, leadership, and vision.
Howard was the second eldest of five siblings: Julia, Jim, Franklin, Lisa, and Stephen; and the eldest son of James Norris Gray and Lois Howard Gray. Growing up in a bustling household, Howard’s relationship with his siblings was marked by camaraderie, shared chores, and spirited play. The rolling hills of Glasgow were their playground, and the family farm once belonging to their beloved grandmother, Mrs. Julia Franklin Howard, was the heart of their childhood.
In 1966, Howard was a member of the Beta Club in high school, a reflection of his academic promise and leadership potential. He was known for his quiet determination, a love of reading, and a curiosity about how things worked. Whether helping on the farm, working alongside his father at a jobsite, or tinkering with ideas, Howard’s early years were filled with purpose.
He graduated in May 1972 from Western Kentucky University (WKU) with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. His time at WKU shaped his business acumen and deepened his commitment to ethical leadership. After graduating, he met Cassandra, the love of his life. Their courtship, rooted in shared values and mutual respect, blossomed into a marriage that would become the cornerstone of a family and a legacy.
Just months after graduating, in October 1972, Howard took on the formidable role of President of Gray at the age of 23, after the untimely death of his father. With youthful ambition and a steady hand alongside his mother and other family members, he led the company through financial uncertainty, transforming it into a nationally recognized construction firm and leader in design-build. His leadership was grounded in the Golden Rule: treat others the way we want to be treated. This value guided every decision, from safety standards to customer relationships, and holds true to this day.
One of his early achievements was working alongside Plant Manager George Guttschalk to complete the Eaton Axle plant in Glasgow, KY, a project that symbolized his commitment to community and excellence.
Raising four children—Keturah, Rebekah, Mary Bruce, and Carl—Howard and Cassandra instilled in them the same values of integrity, hard work, and kindness. Balancing family and work were never easy, especially after his diagnosis with multiple sclerosis in 1984. Yet Howard faced this challenge with the same optimism and resolve that defined his career.
Howard oversaw Gray’s emergence as a national leader in design-build services and working with international customers including Toyota Motor Manufacturing. Under his leadership, Gray expanded into new markets, embraced design-build innovation, and introduced the “customer-for-life” philosophy. He often quoted his friend and advisor Maurice Mascarenhas: “Relationships are like fine chinaware; costly, rich, and rare. Once broken, they can be mended, but the crack is always there.” He always emphatically added: “Never let it break!” Howard also drew inspiration from Zig Ziglar, often reminding his team: “Your attitude, not your aptitude, determines your altitude.”
Arguably, his most famous saying is: “Give the customer everything they bargained for, and just a little bit more.” He brought this servant leadership to everyone he encountered from team members, customers, and subcontractors.
In 1988, Howard made the emotional decision to move the company headquarters from Glasgow, KY to Lexington, KY, a shift that marked a new chapter for Gray. Though his pillow was in Lexington, his heart remained in Glasgow.
Customers, partners, and team members alike describe Howard as honest, equitable, and deeply personal in his leadership. He’s often referenced as “beloved” within the walls of Gray. He knew team members by name, asked about their families, and made everyone feel seen. His decisions shaped Gray’s values, culture, and leadership.
Howard was always active in civic life, serving on numerous boards including: Chairman of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, national board of Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA), receiving the designation of Designated Design-Build Professional®, the President of the Lexington Theological Seminary as well as Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Kentucky, and Director of Western Kentucky University and The International Storytelling Center and Festival.
Although he received numerous awards and recognitions through the years, his most cherished time was spent with family, especially his grandchildren.
In 2002, Howard transitioned to Chairman of Gray, ushering in a new era of leadership while remaining a guiding force. He also served as a WKU regent, continuing his commitment to education and community. In 2011, he assumed the self-described Chief Storytelling Officer role empowering the importance of preserving history.
In 2008, inspired by his resilience, Howard’s Team was formed to support MS research. Their motto—“deliver everything they bargained for and a little bit more”—became a rallying cry. To date, Howard’s Team has raised just under $5M and earned national recognition. In 2023, Howard’s Team Kentucky received the Top Fundraising Team Award for the Bike MS: Bluegrass and Bourbon Ride, a testament to the enduring impact of Howard’s spirit and leadership.
Howard Gray was more than a builder of buildings. He was a builder of people, communities, and values. His life was a masterclass in humility, perseverance, and purpose. He leaves behind a legacy not only of business success but of human connection, ethical leadership, and unwavering love for his family and his roots.
He will be remembered not just for what he built, but for how he built it with integrity, compassion, and a belief that every person matters.