Mervin Grayson, Jr.
July 22, 1944 - July 1, 2025
Mervin Grayson, Jr. was born to Mervin Grayson, Sr., and Betty Jean (Hawkins) on July 22, 1944, in Tullahassee, Oklahoma and raised in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. He attended and graduated from Douglass High School. On September 28, 1971, he married the love of his life, Teressa (Day) Grayson in Dewey, OK.
He served in the US Army at the rank of Sargent. While assigned to the 4th Division, 1st Brigade 6th Battalion, 29th Artillery support unit Private First Class (PFC) Mervin Grayson Jr., during a tremendous feat of 140 days of straight firing barge in the Republic of Vietnam fired off the symbolic 100,000th round of support artillery. This is an average of nearly 715 rounds of artillery fire each day and after achieving this feat PFC Grayson immediately reloaded and began firing towards the next 100,000.
Later during his tour of duty in Vietnam, Corporal Grayson was awarded the honor of receiving the ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL OF HEROISM; For his actions of heroism on October 9th, 1969, in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Corporal Grayson distinguished himself while serving as a Chief of Section with Battery C, 6th Battalion, 29th Artillery, in the 4th Infantry Division. His fire support base came under heavy ground and rocket attack. Shortly after the attack began, the approximate location of the main enemy weapons fire was discovered. Corporal Grayson left the safety of his bunker and exposing himself to enemy fire moved to the flank howitzer to assist the gun crew in delivering accurate counter artillery fire. He remained at and assisted the gun section throughout the engagement and contributed significantly to the repulsion of the enemy forces. Corporal Grayson's personal bravery, outstanding performance, and exemplary devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, unit, and the United States Army. In 2019 he was presented Bartlesville Hometown Hero Award.
He was employed and retired from the City of Bartlesville as Director of the Sanitation Department. In his spare time, he loved to fish, hunt, and coach youth football. He also enjoyed working on automobiles and was very passionate about feeding his family and community by cooking Barbecue. Mervin was an avid member of the Miracle Temple COGIC.
Mervin leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife of 53 years, Teressa; 9 children: Kelvin Grayson of Waxahachie, Texas; Dana Grayson of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Darrell (Rose) Grayson of Liberty Hill, Texas; Sophia Shoate of Atlanta, Georgia; LaShon Grayson of Hemet, California; Detra Grayson of Oceanside, California; Sekora (Darryl) Brown of Muskogee, Oklahoma; Dorsell Rogers of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; and Louis Hopkins, Jr. of Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is also survived by one brother, Robert Grayson of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; four sisters: Shirley Adair of California; Joyce Collins of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; Vivian Brown of Inglewood, California; and Teresa (Dennis) Seals of Aubrey, Texas; over 30 grandchildren; a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Mervin was preceded in death by his father Mervin and mother Betty Jean and a son Mervin Grayson, III.
