Earenest James Grayson II, age 51, returned to be with his heavenly father on December 15, 2025, leaving behind a lifetime of love, faith, and cherished memories.

Earenest was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, on February 10, 1974, to Earenest Grayson Sr. and Denise Wright Grayson. He was the firstborn of this union and carried that role with strength, responsibility, and care throughout his life. During his teenage years he was cared for by his grandmother Lucille whom he loved deeply.

A man of deep faith and conviction, Earenest lived from a personal and genuine relationship with God. He believed that the condition of a man's heart mattered far more than outward appearance, and he carried God's word within him. Seeking God's guidance, grace, and wisdom, he endeavored daily to live as a man after God's own heart.

"Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." — 1 Samuel 16:7

Earenest's faith was not something he spoke about often, but something he lived out every day. He walked with integrity, humility, and purpose, allowing his relationship with God to guide his decisions and interactions. He trusted God's direction, sought wisdom through prayer, and lived in a way that reflected love, service, and compassion. His faith shaped how he led his family, how he served others, and how he showed up in the world. He believed in doing what was right even when unseen, allowing his actions to speak louder than words.

Earenest attended Cherokee Elementary School and West Junior High School before graduating from Muskogee High School in 1992. He was active in football, basketball, and track, where his discipline, talent, and determination stood out early. His athletic ability earned him a full athletic scholarship for college, where he excelled both on the field and in the classroom.

In 1997, Earenest earned his bachelor's degree in computer science from Southwest Missouri State University. Committed to lifelong learning, he later obtained a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix in 2004, enrolling shortly after the birth of his beloved son, Earenest III. He remained eager to grow throughout his life, staying current with emerging technologies through reading, research, and self-study. His curiosity and willingness to take on new challenges led him into IT consulting early in his career, laying the foundation for decades of innovation and adaptability.

After college, Earenest married his high school sweetheart, Melinda Gunn-Grayson, and together they shared 28 years of marriage. Side by side, they built a home filled with faith, love, and family.

Early in his career, Earenest started a small business that would grow into a lifelong calling. With faith, determination, and courage, he stepped away from full-time employment to work as an independent contractor. For more than 20 years, he owned and operated his IT consulting business, serving clients with excellence, integrity, and care. He worked with several Fortune 500 companies, providing custom solutions and taking great pride in his profession. The success of his business was built not only on expertise, but on the sacrifices, he willingly made to see it thrive.

Earenest and Melinda were blessed with two children, Earenest III and Essence Grayson, who meant everything to him. Family always came first. He was a devoted provider and protector who showed his love through action each day. As a proud and present father, he raised his children with patience, strength, respect, and unwavering dedication. His knowledge, guidance, and steady presence became the foundation of the family.

He was a loving and supportive husband whose acts of service spoke volumes. He worked tirelessly not just to provide, but to ensure his family felt secure, supported, and deeply cherished. Being present mattered to him, and he made time a priority.

Earenest was also a father figure to many, including his beloved nephews, Jordan and Jeremiah, whom he loved as sons. He was a strong male presence within the family, leading cousins and extended family with love, devotion, and consistency, stepping into every role needed out of genuine care.

He built a legacy of love through shared moments—family holidays, cooking, baking, grilling, laughter, and togetherness. His legacy is not only in what he built, but in the character, he instilled: honesty, resilience, and a boundless capacity for love that lives on through his children and extended family.

Earenest was the fun dad—active, engaged, and joyful in every season of life. He loved sports, video games, airsoft battles, family vacations, and introducing loved ones to new adventures, foods, and experiences. With a great sense of humor and a childlike joy, especially at Christmas, he delighted in shared traditions and laughter. Whether enjoying a simple bologna sandwich or a tomahawk steak, he embraced life fully, always knowing that family was what mattered most.

A computer engineer by profession, Earenest was a natural problem-solver and modern renaissance man. After purchasing his first computer in middle school, he rebuilt it after just one class—an early sign of the curiosity and brilliance that defined his life. His love of learning extended far beyond technology. He enjoyed research, thoughtful debate, investing, entrepreneurship, and working with his hands through carpentry and home projects. At home, he was known for his generosity, quiet strength, and steady presence.

Above all, Earenest valued time and presence. Giving, helping, and showing up for others was simply who he was. Whether through service, generosity, or simply being there, he lived a life devoted to those he loved and those in need.

Earenest leaves to honor his legacy his loving wife, Melinda Grayson; his son, Earenest III; his princess, Essence Grayson; and a host of extended family members whom he loved dearly. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Gloria Gunn; his younger brother, Rodney Grayson; his sisters, Natasha Cummings Price, Felicia Johnson, Tomeka Jones, La-Ree Hill, and Darlene Lizette Smith; his grandmother, Dixie Johnson; his sister-in-law, Catherine White and her children, Jordan and Jeremiah; his uncle, Timothy Wright; his younger cousins, Wynter, Germany, Jaylen, and Jabrion; and his best friends, Lee and Emmitt (and their families),as well as coworkers and a host of other friends.

He is reunited in eternal rest with his mother, Denise Wright Grayson; his father, Earenest Grayson Sr. (stepfather); his biological father, Gregory Oliver; his great-grandmother, Lucile Wright; his grandfather, Homer Wright; and his father-in-law, Enoch Gunn.

The family of the late Mr. Earenest Grayson wishes to express thanks and appreciation for your many acts of kindness and hospitality towards them during this time. May god bless you richly. There will be no repast after the interment.

A Home Going Service is scheduled, Tuesday, December 23, 2025, 1:00 p.m., Rayfield Baptist Church, 601 Indianapolis Street, Muskogee, OK; with Pastor Martin Lang, delivering the eulogy. Interment will follow in Booker T Washington Cemetery, Muskogee, OK.

Visitation will be Monday, 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.

The family has been cared for by House of Winn-Muskogee