Donald A. Gray, 83, a longtime Liberty, MO, resident, passed away March 18, 2008 at St. Luke's Northland Hospital, following a brief illness. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. followed by services at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, March 22 at the Park Lawn Northland Chapel, 1-35 at M-291 Hwy., Liberty. Burial with military honors will follow in Glenridge Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, you may honor Don with a memorial contribution to the Ararat Shrine Hospital Transportation Fund, 5100 Ararat Drive, Kansas City, MO 64129. Don was born to Leslie and Gertrude (Bleish) Gray on July 2, 1924 at the family's farm in Gentry County, MO. He served as a Gunner's Mate in the U.S. Coast Guard on the U.S.S. Sandusky from 1942 to 1946. His career with Ford Motor Company spanned more than 30 years when he retired as a Superintendent of the Trim Line. Don was a member of the Liberty VFW Post 4043 and VFW Post 5606 in Kansas City North. He attended and was baptized at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church. Don was a member of the King City Masonic Lodge 377 and Ararat Shrine Temple. Besides his parents, Don was preceded in death by his wife of 29 years, Louise, and two brothers, George and James Gray. He leaves his seven children, Donna Woolard and husband Jamie of Kansas City North, Steve Gray and wife Brandy of LaPine, Oregon, Julie Roberts and Susan Gray Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Mary Clark and husband Justin of Las Vegas, NV, Christine Gray of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and Scott Gray and wife Amy of Kansas City North; nine grandchildren and a great-grandson, Hudson. He also leaves Louise's children, Nancy Mathews and husband Cliff of Dallas, TX, and John Martin and wife Barbara of Kansas City; as well as five step- grandchildren and five step-great grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother, Richard Gray of Independence, MO as well as his extended 5LINX family. Online condolences may be sent via www.parklawnfunerals.com (Arr. Park Lawn Northland Chapel 816-781-8228)
Published in Kansas City Star on March 20, 2008