Gray H. Sellers

Gray H. Sellers, 84, of Millersville, PA, died at St. Anne’s Retirement Community on Sunday, October 28, 2018 in Columbia, PA. Born in Phillipsburg, PA, on October 26, 1934, Gray was the son of the late Ross Parker and Rose Emma (Henderson) Sellers. Gray was married to Ellen Currier Sellers for 61 years. Gray attended the one-room school system in Patton Township before entering the State College system in 7th grade. He graduated from State College High School in 1952 and attended Penn State University where he studied Hotel Administration with an emphasis in food and nutrition. Gray began his career with summer employment in Howard Johnson restaurants followed by 3 years at the Penn Harris Hotel in Harrisburg, PA. He shifted to college food service as the Assistant Director of Food Services at Bloomsburg University and then Kutztown University. In 1966, Gray began his 26 years of employment at Millersville University as the Director of Food Services. In 1968, he moved to administration and served as Vice President of Finance and Administration until he retired in 1992. In his capacity as VP, Gray served on various boards and commissions. He chaired the celebratory event when Governor Thornburg signed the bill that created Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education and served as the first chairman of the Financial Officers of the PA State University, a position he held for six years. Gray’s principal interest during his tenure as at Millersville University was to support and encourage students, particularly when financial obstacles threatened to impede their academic goals. To support these efforts he and his wife led travel and other music-related fund-raising events. They founded yearly subscription trips to the Philadelphia Orchestra, giving members of the community and Millersville University music majors a chance to experience one of the world’s finest orchestras while also increasing scholarship dollars. Travel destinations included England, France, and Russia. All of these trips included musical and theatrical events, ranging from public concerts and performances to private organ recitals to the world famous Oberammergau Passion Play. Gray was active in the community. He was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church and a member and president of the Lions Club of Millersville and the West End Ambulance Association He also spearheaded community events such as Strawberry Pie Day, a fund-raiser for the West End Ambulance Association, and Arthur Fiedler’s visit with the Lancaster Orchestra, for which he and his co-chair Mary McGrann received the Lancaster New Era Red Rose Award. Gray and his wife cherished their time together and with their children and their families both at home and at Hillcrest Resort in Ogunquit, Maine. He is survived by two daughters; Deborah E. (William Payne) Sellers, Ithaca, NY, Rebecca E. (Brian) Hill, North Conway, NH; three sons, Steven A. Sellers and partner (Paula Mishler), Manheim, Matthew P. Sellers and partner (Christine McGlory), Lancaster, and Andrew C. (Abigail Barley) Sellers, Harrisburg; ten grandchildren Amy, Chelsea, Julian, Jeremy, Graeme, Mackenzie, Sofia, Sam, Andrew Jr., and Luke and five great-grandchildren Amalie, Addison, Camryn, Evan, and Roman. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Gray’s Memorial Service on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 321 West Chestnut Street, Lancaster, PA, 17603 with The Rev. Glen Miller officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 10:00 a.m. until time of service and at The Groff Family Funeral Home, 528 W. Orange Street (corner of W. Orange & Pine Sts.), Lancaster, PA on Friday evening, November 9, 2018 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Private family Interment will be held at the Millersville Mennonite Cemetery. The family wishes to express their appreciation to the staff and the St. Anne’s community for the loving care that Gray received during his six years as a resident. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Gray’s memory can be sent to St. Anne’s Retirement Community, 3952 Columbia Avenue, Columbia, PA 17512 or St. John’s Episcopal Church.