SFC (Ret) Philip Grey

Sergeant First Class Philip Grey, beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend passed away at his home on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at the age of 60.
He was born in Mussidan, France, the son of the late Robert Grey. He is survived by his mother, Lucette Pitaud Rhoda of Tucson, AZ; his loving wife of 40 years, Patricia Parco Grey of Clarksville, TN; two sons: Michael Neil Grey(Amanda) and Nathaniel Emerson Grey; 5 grandchildren: Arianna Grey, Charlie Grey, Hannah Menigah, Quentin Grey, Oliver Grey; three brothers: Patrick James Grey, Paul Joseph Grey, Peter Joel Grey
Phil enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1975 and served two years. After discharge from the air force, he worked in the civil sector for eight years during which time he met and married Patricia, the love of his life, in 1978. He enlisted in the Army as an Indirect Fire Infantryman in 1986. His first Army assignment was with the prestigious 3d U.S. Army Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) in Washington, DC where his duties included service on a personal security detail for the then Secretary of Defense, Caspar Weinberger.
He subsequently served in Germany; at Fort Campbell, KY and in the Sinai Desert (Egypt) with the Multinational Force and Observers while assigned to the 101st Airborne Division (AASALT); at Fort Knox, KY: in Indiana (as an Army Recruiter); and again with the 101st Airborne Division (AASLT) in Kuwait and Iraq. He returned to Fort Campbell where he continued to serve with distinction and honor until he elected to retire in 2003 and remain in the Clarksville area.
Phil’s awards and decorations were: Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with seven Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal (sixth award), National Defense Service Medal (second award), Noncommissioned Officer’s Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral 3, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (second award), and the Multinational Forces and Observers Medal. He was also authorized to wear the Combat Infantryman Badge, Air Assault Badge, US Army Basic Recruiter Badge with two Gold Achievement Stars, and the US Army Basic Recruiter Badge.
After retirement, Phil attended and graduated Summa cum Laude from Austin Peay State University in 2007 with a major in History and Political Science.
His local employment included work as an Industrial Processes Technician at Nyrstar; an Opinion Columnist/Community Editorial Board Member with The Leaf-Chronicle; and lastly, the Military Affairs Reporter for Gannett (The Leaf-Chronicle) where he developed a passion for and excelled in reporting on military issues and activities affecting the Fort Campbell, KY/Clarksville, TN community. Phil often opined that his last position was the job for which he had the greatest love and that led to the local community having a better understanding of the service connected demands placed on the local soldiers, his fellow veterans and their family members.
Phil was a devoted member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Clarksville, TN where funeral services will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 3, 2018. Pallbearers will be Kevin Clegg, A.J. Malek, Michael Greenwalt, Christopher Greenwalt, Joe Padula, and Bill Gass. Honorary Pallbearers will be LTG (Ret) Hugh Smith, Dewey Browder, Stephen Krusinski, Gerry Lee, Justin Ferrell, and Chuck Goodwin.
Burial with full military honors will be in the Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, DC at a date to be announced later.
Phil's family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 2 and 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, March 3 at McReynolds-Nave & Larson Funeral Home. Additionally, a Rosary will be held beginning at 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either the American Cancer Society or to the Wounded Warrior Project.
McReynols-Nave-Larson Funeral Home, Clarksville, TN is handling the arrangements. NaveFuneralHomes.com