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Jon R. Gray graduated from Grinnell College in 1973 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies. After Grinnell, he graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) School of Law in 1976, where he was Chief Justice of the UMKC Moot Court Board and Chief Justice of the UMKC Student Court. In 1986, Missouri Governor John Ashcroft appointed Gray, then 35, to the 16th Judicial Circuit of Missouri as a Circuit Judge. He was retained in office by voters for four additional terms over the next 20 years. Gray presided over civil, criminal, and family court matters. He retired from the bench in 2007 and on the same day, began his current position with the international litigation firm of Shook Hardy & Bacon LLP as a partner in its Kansas City office. He offers mediation and arbitration services to parties involved in civil disputes.

While attending Grinnell, Gray participated in theatre, athletics, was a member of Concerned Black Students, and received the President’s Award for his role in the Grinnell College Black Arts Ensemble. His involvement and service to Grinnell continued after graduation. He has served as a member of the Alumni Council, an admission volunteer, and a speaker for the Wilson Center.

Gray’s passion and commitment to philanthropy and community service are evident in his nonprofit board service, which includes the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City, Swope Community Enterprises, the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Truman Medical Centers, the Spofford Home for Children, the Kansas City Neighborhood Alliance, the Urban League of Greater Kansas City, the UMKC Law Foundation, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts Ensemble Group, the Kansas City Repertory Theater and the Shook, Hardy & Bacon Foundation. His statewide service includes gubernatorial appointments to the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority and the Missouri Citizens’ Commission on Compensation for Elected Officials. He is a life member of the NAACP and of Theta Boule’ of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity.