John Ellis Gray (March 3, 1907 – March 20, 2002) was an educational administrator, businessman and university president at Lamar University. In 1972, Gray, along with Otho Plummer, H. C. Galloway, and Dr. Charles P. Turco founded the Lamar University Foundation to fund raise, manage, and administer private gifts in support of Lamar University programs. In 1973 Gray was inducted into the Cardinal hall of honor.