Volunteers / Helping hands : Jack Gray Honored as Citizen of the Year

Jack Gray was the stealth candidate for Citizen of the Year.

Noted for his modesty, he has sat quietly through countless meetings of boards of directors and raised funds for a number of groups for more than 30 years, colleagues said. For his diligence, the city recently presented him with its annual service award.

“He is very humble and does many, many things that no one knows about,” said Helen Walker, who chaired the committee of past recipients that votes on the award winner.

Gray, 63, said he started donating his time at the behest of the physicians he represented as administrator--and now chief executive officer--for the Yorba Park Medical Group.

“It’s hard for doctors to find time,” Gray said. “That’s why they prefer to rely on people like me.”

He began working as a YMCA volunteer in 1972 and eventually joined the board of directors. From there he began advising other groups--the Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Partnership, Christian Businessmen’s Committee--on fund-raising and organization techniques.

A variety of medical associations over the years have also benefited from his counsel, as have the Orange Unified School District--where his four children were educated and he was active in parent groups--and the Evangelical Free Church of Orange and the Orange Covenant Presbyterian Church, where he served as an elder.

“Jack deserves to be recognized. . . . He brings together the unique combination of balance between family, church, community and profession,” G. Scott Smith, administrator of Yorba Park Medical Group, wrote in a nominating letter to the award committee.

Gray said his faith gives him a strong foundation for all areas of his busy life. “When you’re putting faith in God and looking to the future, you have a better ability to cope. I’m not as easily irritated,” he said.

The Citizen of the Year award, presented to Gray at the annual State of the City luncheon, was a total surprise, he said.

“It’s embarrassing to a certain extent,” Gray said, “especially when you are in the city as long as I have been and you know there are a lot of people out there who do a lot and don’t get recognized.”