Baskell Laverne Gray was born in Lindsay, Oklahoma, on October 8, 1917. He was raised on a farm along with eight brothers and one sister. Mr. Gray graduated with a bachelor's degree in agricultural science from Oklahoma State University and later with a master's degree in school administration from Texas A & I University in Kingsville, Texas.
He served in the army during World War II and was stationed in England and France as a tech sergeant. He was married to Jean Fallin on December 19, 1947. They had six children.
After the war, he farmed with his brothers in Oklahoma and later in the Rio Grande Valley for several years. In 1954, he started working with the Sharyland Independent School District as a high school teacher and principal. While performing his duties as a principal, he also taught five science classes. After three years as principal, he was elected superintendent in 1958. He still continued to teach two science classes until the Texas Education Agency decided he should not try to do both jobs. B. L. Gray Jr. High School was named in his honor in 1981. He remained superintendent until his retirement in 1983.
