A thunderous standing ovation perhaps best characterized the feelings of some 450 Summit Hill, Panther Valley and Carbon County residents yesterday when they paid tribute to the Revs. Carl and Donna Gray, departing pastors of the First Presbyterian Church of the Panther Valley.

The event was staged at the spacious Memorial Hall, Jim Thorpe, and ended on a joyous note, as the personable ministers, residents of Summit Hill for the past 13 years, greeted their friends with handshakes and kisses.

The couple and their two children, Will, 6, and Katie, 5, will relocate this week to Highland Park, Illinois, where they have accepted a call to that city’s Presbyterian church.