Kansas City Star (Kansas City, Missouri), March 27, 2018
KATHRYN LUCILLE GRAY - Kathryn Lucille Gray 91, of Liberty, MO passed away March 23, 2018. A Celebration of Kathryn's Life will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday March 29th at North Cross United Methodist Church, 1321 NE Vivion Road, with visitation preceding the celebration 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Inurnment at Hopkins Memorial Cemetery in Hopkins, MO will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the American Cancer Society. Kathryn was born July 8, 1926 to Henry Vern Melvin and Emma Dorothea (Gunther) Melvin. Left to mourn her passing are her children, Kathy and Lee Standard, Ed and Lana Gray, Donna Cummins, Carl and Debbie Gray, Andrea and Don Ayers, sisters, Dorothea Abbott, Ruth Brown, 15 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren, 2 great great grand kids, and many other friends and extended family.
Kathryn Lucille Gray
d. March 23, 2018
KATHRYN LUCILLE GRAY 91, OF LIBERTY, MO PASSED AWAY MARCH 23, 2018. A CELEBRATION OF KATHRYN’S LIFE WILL BE 11:00 A.M. THURSDAY MARCH 29TH AT NORTH CROSS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 1321 NE VIVION ROAD, WITH VISITATION PRECEDING THE CELEBRATION 10:00 – 11:00 A.M. INURNMENT AT HOPKINS MEMORIAL CEMETERY IN HOPKINS, MO WILL BE AT A LATER DATE. IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS ARE SUGGESTED TO THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY.
KATHRYN LUCILLE GRAY WAS BORN JULY 8, 1926 TO HENRY VERN MELVIN AND EMMA DOROTHEA (GUNTHER) MELVIN.
SHE WAS MARRIED NOVEMBER 1, 1944 TO DONOVAN BURCH GRAY. TO THIS UNION WERE BORN 5 CHILDREN, KATHY, DONOVAN EDWIN, DONNA, CARL, AND ANDREA.
KATHRYN WAS A MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER, GREAT GRANDMOTHER AND GREAT-GREAT GRANDMOTHER, WIFE, DAUGHTER AND SISTER. HER FAMILY WAS ALWAYS HER HEARTS BLOOD. SHE PRAYED FOR ALL OF THEM DAILY, FOR THEIR HEALTH AND WELFARE.
SHE AND DONOVAN STARTED THEIR MARRIAGE ON THE FARM IN BEDFORD, IOWA. DUE TO HEALTH ISSUES DONOVAN WAS FORCED TO GIVE UP FARMING AND THEY CAME TO KANSAS CITY TO WORK IN LESS PHYSICALLY DEMANDING JOBS. WHEN THEY FIRST CAME HERE THEY WORKED SIDE BY SIDE, BUYING, DETAILING AND RESELLING CARS. THE NEXT JOB THEY WORKED TOGETHER ON WAS A JOB WITH “RADIO AUTO PARTS” AND IT WORKED BY CUSTOMERS “RADIOING” THE ORDERS TO THE MOBILE TRUCK. THE PARTS WERE THEN DELIVERED DIRECTLY TO THE SHOPS. KATHRYN RECALLED THESE YEARS AS; “THE HAPPIEST TIMES OF MY LIFE”. SHE TOLD OF TAKING THEIR YOUNGEST “ANDREA” NOT YET IN SCHOOL AND DELIVERED PARTS ALL OVER THE KANSAS CITY AREA. WHEN THEY WERE DONE WITH THEIR DELIVERIES SHE AND ANDREA WOULD OFTEN STOP ON THE WAY HOME FOR HAMBURGERS AND MILKSHAKES, TO TREAT THEMSELVES FOR A JOB WELL DONE.
WHEN DONOVAN STARTED THEIR NEXT BUSINESS, “DON GRAY SALES COMPANY”, SHE BECAME SECRETARY, OFFICE MANAGER, CONCIERGE AND CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE FOR DONOVAN FREEING HIM TO CONCENTRATE SOLELY ON SALES. SHE HANDLED EACH JOB WITH HER OWN COMBINATION OF EFFICIENCY AND WARM FRIENDLINESS.
SHE WAS A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE PEO CHAPTER KF OF KANSAS CITY AND WAS AN ACTIVE LIFELONG MEMBER. SHE RECEIVED HER 50 YEAR PIN, ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO. SHE MADE MANY LIFELONG FRIENDS THROUGH THIS SISTERHOOD.
SHE ALSO COUNTED AMOUNG HER LONGEST LASTING FRIENDSHIPS, THOSE OF HER CONTEMPORARIES FROM NORTH CROSS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH.
ANYONE WHO HAD THE PLEASURE OF KNOWING KATHRYN KNEW HER TO BE A KIND, LOVING AND TRUE FRIEND. SHE MADE FRIENDS WHEREVER SHE WENT BUT TWO EXAMPLES STAND OUT. DURING SOME OF THE MOST PAINFUL PERIODS OF HER LIFE SHE SAW THE BEAUTY IN FRIENDSHIP. SHE MET A NURSE AT THE MAYO CLINIC WHO BECAME A FRIEND FOR OVER 40 YEARS BECAUSE INSTEAD OF CONCENTRATING ON HER ON PROBLEMS, SHE CHOSE TO FOCUS ON THE GREAT AND CARING NURSE WHO WAS HELPING HER. THE SECOND EXAMPLE HAPPENED ALONG THE SAME LINES. DURING A STAY IN NORTH KANSAS CITY HOSPITAL IN THE 1960’S AFTER ONE OF HER MANY SURGERIES, SHE HAD A ROOMATE WHO WAS ALSO RECOVERING FROM A SURGERY WHO BECAUSE OF THAT ASSOCIATION BECAME WHAT KATHRYN CALLED HER “BEST FRIEND”, MICKEY MCATEE. THE MCATEE’S AND THE GRAYS WENT ON SEVERAL FISHING TRIPS TO MINNESOTA WHERE THEY FISHED FOR NORTHERN PIKE AND WALLEYE. APPARENTLY THE MCATEE’S WERE INDEED SPECIAL FRIENDS BECAUSE KATHRYN SHEEPISHLY ADMITTED THAT THEY WERE HAVING SUCH A GOOD TIME THAT SHE AND MICKEY SHARED A COCKTAIL AND BECAME “TIPSY”. PROBABLY THE ONLY TIME THAT HAPPENED IN HER ENTIRE LIFE! SHE AND MICKEY HAD SUCH A GOOD FRIENDSHIP THAT LATE IN LIFE THEY LIVED IN THE SAME RETIREMENT COMMUNITY. BOTH WERE WIDOWS BY THEN AND THEY WERE HAPPY TO HAVE EACH OTHER TO LEAN ON AND BE THERE FOR EACH OTHER. THEY TOOK ALL OF THEIR MEALS TOGETHER AT RIVERSTONE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY AND EVERYONE KNEW WHEREVER KATHRYN WAS, MICKEY WOULDN’T BE FAR BEHIND. ON SUNDAYS, CARL AND I WOULD TAKE DINNER FOR THE TWO OF THEM FROM TACO BELL, ONE OF MOM’S FAVORITES. THE MENU NEVER VARIED, KATHERYN HAD THE SMALL CHIPS AND CHEESE, MICKEY HAD THE BEEFERITO AND THEY SHARED A 4 PACK OF CINNABON BITES!
KATHRYN’S FONDNESS FOR HER FRIENDS WAS BORN OUT IN HER CHRISTMAS CARDS. STARTING IN NOVEMBER SHE WOULD SET UP A CARD TABLE IN HER OFFICE FOR HER CHRISTMAS CARD OPERATION. IN HER PRIME SHE PROBABLY SENT OUT OVER 200 CHRISTMAS CARDS. AND SHE DIDN’T JUST SIGN THEM. SHE WROTE A SHORT PERSONAL NOTE, A LONG PERSONAL NOTE, OR A LETTER, DEPENDING ON HOW LONG IT HAD BEEN SINCE SHE HAD “CAUGHT UP” WITH THE PERSON. THIS IS A TRUE TRIBUTE TO FRIENDSHIP IN SUCH A BUSY SEASON!
KATHRYN’S INDOMITABLE SPIRIT WAS KNOWN AND ADMIRED BY ALL WHO KNEW HER. SHE HAD A “CAN DO SPIRIT” AND DESPITE LOSING HER LEG TO CANCER IN 1972, IT NEVER SLOWED HER DOWN. SHE MIGHT HAVE TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS, BUT LIFE WENT ON AS USUAL. AS A MATTER OF FACT, IN THE SUMMERS SHE RODE A RIDING LAWNMOWER AND ONCE A WEEK MOWED THE VACANT LOT ACROSS THE STREET FROM THEIR HOME UNTIL SHE WAS IN HER 80’S. THERE WERE MANY NEIGHBORS WHO COULD HAVE SHARED THE WORK, BUT THAT WAS HER CONTRIBUTION TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
KATHRYN HAD MANY TALENTS AND SHARED THEM FREELY WITH OTHERS. SHE MADE THE MOST MOUTH WATERING PIES AND KNEW EVERYONE’S FAVORITE AND MADE IT FOR THEIR BIRTHDAY! SHE WAS ALSO FAMOUS FOR HER GREAT BEEF AND NOODLES! MANY A BIRTHDAY DINNER REQUEST WAS FOR BEEF AND NOODLES!
SHE HAD A BEAUTIFUL ALTO SINGING VOICE AND LENT HER TALENT TO THE NORTH CROSS CHOIR FOR MANY YEARS!
NOW, THE NEXT ONE IS PROBABLY NOT KNOWN TO MOST OF YOU SO WE WANTED TO SHARE IT! SHE AND HER SISTERS WERE TAP DANCERS AND EVEN WERE HEARD “TAPPING” ON A LOCAL RADIO PROGRAM WHEN THEY WERE IN THEIR YOUTH!
AFTER DON’S PASSING IN 1993, KATHRYN REMAINED IN HER OWN HOME, CARING FOR HERSELF UNTIL SHE MADE THE DECISION IN 2011 TO MOVE TO RIVERSTONE LIFESTYLE LIVING COMMUNITY.
SADLY, AFTER A FALL WHICH BROKE THE LARGE BONE IN HER THIGH, IN 2016, SHE WAS UNABLE TO RETURN TO RIVERSTONE AND TOOK UP RESIDENCE AT EXCELSIOR SPRINGS NURSING AND REHABITATION WHERE SHE RECEIVED EXCELLENT CARE. SHE WAS FOND OF ALL OF HER CAREGIVERS THERE BUT HAD A VERY SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH ONE IN PARTICULAR. HER NAME WAS GYNA GILLIHAN AND THEY SHARED A VERY SPECIAL BOND. WE WANT TO THANK GYNA FOR THAT FRIENDSHIP.
SHE WAS PREDECEASED BY HER HUSBAND, DONOVAN. HER MOTHER EMMA DOROTHEA AND FATHER HENRY VERN MELVIN, HER BROTHER CARL, WHO WAS A CASUALTY ABOARD THE USS INDIANAPOLIS, CARRYING NUCLEAR MATERIALS TO IWO JIMA IN WWII. SHE WAS VERY CLOSE TO HER BROTHER AND NEVER QUITE GOT OVER HIS LOSS.
LEFT TO MOURN HER PASSING ARE HER CHILDREN, KATHY AND LEE STANDARD, ED AND LANA GRAY, DONNA CUMMINS, CARL AND DEBBIE GRAY AND ANDREA AND DON AYERS. HER SISTERS DOROTHEA ABBOTT AND RUTH BROWN. SHE ALSO LEAVES 14 GRANDCHILDREN, 28 GREAT GRANDCHILDREN AND 2 GREAT-GREAT GRANDKIDS AND MANY OTHER FRIENDS AND EXTENDED FAMILY.
KATHERYN WILL BE SORELY MISSED, BUT WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR HER INSPIRATIONAL FAITH, POSITIVE ATTITUDE, AND MUSICAL LAUGH.
KATHRYN LUCILLE GRAY - Kathryn Lucille Gray 91, of Liberty, MO passed away March 23, 2018. A Celebration of Kathryn's Life will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday March 29th at North Cross United Methodist Church, 1321 NE Vivion Road, with visitation preceding the celebration 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Inurnment at Hopkins Memorial Cemetery in Hopkins, MO will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the American Cancer Society. Kathryn was born July 8, 1926 to Henry Vern Melvin and Emma Dorothea (Gunther) Melvin. Left to mourn her passing are her children, Kathy and Lee Standard, Ed and Lana Gray, Donna Cummins, Carl and Debbie Gray, Andrea and Don Ayers, sisters, Dorothea Abbott, Ruth Brown, 15 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren, 2 great great grand kids, and many other friends and extended family.
Kathryn Lucille Gray
d. March 23, 2018
KATHRYN LUCILLE GRAY 91, OF LIBERTY, MO PASSED AWAY MARCH 23, 2018. A CELEBRATION OF KATHRYN’S LIFE WILL BE 11:00 A.M. THURSDAY MARCH 29TH AT NORTH CROSS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 1321 NE VIVION ROAD, WITH VISITATION PRECEDING THE CELEBRATION 10:00 – 11:00 A.M. INURNMENT AT HOPKINS MEMORIAL CEMETERY IN HOPKINS, MO WILL BE AT A LATER DATE. IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS ARE SUGGESTED TO THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY.
KATHRYN LUCILLE GRAY WAS BORN JULY 8, 1926 TO HENRY VERN MELVIN AND EMMA DOROTHEA (GUNTHER) MELVIN.
SHE WAS MARRIED NOVEMBER 1, 1944 TO DONOVAN BURCH GRAY. TO THIS UNION WERE BORN 5 CHILDREN, KATHY, DONOVAN EDWIN, DONNA, CARL, AND ANDREA.
KATHRYN WAS A MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER, GREAT GRANDMOTHER AND GREAT-GREAT GRANDMOTHER, WIFE, DAUGHTER AND SISTER. HER FAMILY WAS ALWAYS HER HEARTS BLOOD. SHE PRAYED FOR ALL OF THEM DAILY, FOR THEIR HEALTH AND WELFARE.
SHE AND DONOVAN STARTED THEIR MARRIAGE ON THE FARM IN BEDFORD, IOWA. DUE TO HEALTH ISSUES DONOVAN WAS FORCED TO GIVE UP FARMING AND THEY CAME TO KANSAS CITY TO WORK IN LESS PHYSICALLY DEMANDING JOBS. WHEN THEY FIRST CAME HERE THEY WORKED SIDE BY SIDE, BUYING, DETAILING AND RESELLING CARS. THE NEXT JOB THEY WORKED TOGETHER ON WAS A JOB WITH “RADIO AUTO PARTS” AND IT WORKED BY CUSTOMERS “RADIOING” THE ORDERS TO THE MOBILE TRUCK. THE PARTS WERE THEN DELIVERED DIRECTLY TO THE SHOPS. KATHRYN RECALLED THESE YEARS AS; “THE HAPPIEST TIMES OF MY LIFE”. SHE TOLD OF TAKING THEIR YOUNGEST “ANDREA” NOT YET IN SCHOOL AND DELIVERED PARTS ALL OVER THE KANSAS CITY AREA. WHEN THEY WERE DONE WITH THEIR DELIVERIES SHE AND ANDREA WOULD OFTEN STOP ON THE WAY HOME FOR HAMBURGERS AND MILKSHAKES, TO TREAT THEMSELVES FOR A JOB WELL DONE.
WHEN DONOVAN STARTED THEIR NEXT BUSINESS, “DON GRAY SALES COMPANY”, SHE BECAME SECRETARY, OFFICE MANAGER, CONCIERGE AND CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE FOR DONOVAN FREEING HIM TO CONCENTRATE SOLELY ON SALES. SHE HANDLED EACH JOB WITH HER OWN COMBINATION OF EFFICIENCY AND WARM FRIENDLINESS.
SHE WAS A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE PEO CHAPTER KF OF KANSAS CITY AND WAS AN ACTIVE LIFELONG MEMBER. SHE RECEIVED HER 50 YEAR PIN, ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO. SHE MADE MANY LIFELONG FRIENDS THROUGH THIS SISTERHOOD.
SHE ALSO COUNTED AMOUNG HER LONGEST LASTING FRIENDSHIPS, THOSE OF HER CONTEMPORARIES FROM NORTH CROSS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH.
ANYONE WHO HAD THE PLEASURE OF KNOWING KATHRYN KNEW HER TO BE A KIND, LOVING AND TRUE FRIEND. SHE MADE FRIENDS WHEREVER SHE WENT BUT TWO EXAMPLES STAND OUT. DURING SOME OF THE MOST PAINFUL PERIODS OF HER LIFE SHE SAW THE BEAUTY IN FRIENDSHIP. SHE MET A NURSE AT THE MAYO CLINIC WHO BECAME A FRIEND FOR OVER 40 YEARS BECAUSE INSTEAD OF CONCENTRATING ON HER ON PROBLEMS, SHE CHOSE TO FOCUS ON THE GREAT AND CARING NURSE WHO WAS HELPING HER. THE SECOND EXAMPLE HAPPENED ALONG THE SAME LINES. DURING A STAY IN NORTH KANSAS CITY HOSPITAL IN THE 1960’S AFTER ONE OF HER MANY SURGERIES, SHE HAD A ROOMATE WHO WAS ALSO RECOVERING FROM A SURGERY WHO BECAUSE OF THAT ASSOCIATION BECAME WHAT KATHRYN CALLED HER “BEST FRIEND”, MICKEY MCATEE. THE MCATEE’S AND THE GRAYS WENT ON SEVERAL FISHING TRIPS TO MINNESOTA WHERE THEY FISHED FOR NORTHERN PIKE AND WALLEYE. APPARENTLY THE MCATEE’S WERE INDEED SPECIAL FRIENDS BECAUSE KATHRYN SHEEPISHLY ADMITTED THAT THEY WERE HAVING SUCH A GOOD TIME THAT SHE AND MICKEY SHARED A COCKTAIL AND BECAME “TIPSY”. PROBABLY THE ONLY TIME THAT HAPPENED IN HER ENTIRE LIFE! SHE AND MICKEY HAD SUCH A GOOD FRIENDSHIP THAT LATE IN LIFE THEY LIVED IN THE SAME RETIREMENT COMMUNITY. BOTH WERE WIDOWS BY THEN AND THEY WERE HAPPY TO HAVE EACH OTHER TO LEAN ON AND BE THERE FOR EACH OTHER. THEY TOOK ALL OF THEIR MEALS TOGETHER AT RIVERSTONE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY AND EVERYONE KNEW WHEREVER KATHRYN WAS, MICKEY WOULDN’T BE FAR BEHIND. ON SUNDAYS, CARL AND I WOULD TAKE DINNER FOR THE TWO OF THEM FROM TACO BELL, ONE OF MOM’S FAVORITES. THE MENU NEVER VARIED, KATHERYN HAD THE SMALL CHIPS AND CHEESE, MICKEY HAD THE BEEFERITO AND THEY SHARED A 4 PACK OF CINNABON BITES!
KATHRYN’S FONDNESS FOR HER FRIENDS WAS BORN OUT IN HER CHRISTMAS CARDS. STARTING IN NOVEMBER SHE WOULD SET UP A CARD TABLE IN HER OFFICE FOR HER CHRISTMAS CARD OPERATION. IN HER PRIME SHE PROBABLY SENT OUT OVER 200 CHRISTMAS CARDS. AND SHE DIDN’T JUST SIGN THEM. SHE WROTE A SHORT PERSONAL NOTE, A LONG PERSONAL NOTE, OR A LETTER, DEPENDING ON HOW LONG IT HAD BEEN SINCE SHE HAD “CAUGHT UP” WITH THE PERSON. THIS IS A TRUE TRIBUTE TO FRIENDSHIP IN SUCH A BUSY SEASON!
KATHRYN’S INDOMITABLE SPIRIT WAS KNOWN AND ADMIRED BY ALL WHO KNEW HER. SHE HAD A “CAN DO SPIRIT” AND DESPITE LOSING HER LEG TO CANCER IN 1972, IT NEVER SLOWED HER DOWN. SHE MIGHT HAVE TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS, BUT LIFE WENT ON AS USUAL. AS A MATTER OF FACT, IN THE SUMMERS SHE RODE A RIDING LAWNMOWER AND ONCE A WEEK MOWED THE VACANT LOT ACROSS THE STREET FROM THEIR HOME UNTIL SHE WAS IN HER 80’S. THERE WERE MANY NEIGHBORS WHO COULD HAVE SHARED THE WORK, BUT THAT WAS HER CONTRIBUTION TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
KATHRYN HAD MANY TALENTS AND SHARED THEM FREELY WITH OTHERS. SHE MADE THE MOST MOUTH WATERING PIES AND KNEW EVERYONE’S FAVORITE AND MADE IT FOR THEIR BIRTHDAY! SHE WAS ALSO FAMOUS FOR HER GREAT BEEF AND NOODLES! MANY A BIRTHDAY DINNER REQUEST WAS FOR BEEF AND NOODLES!
SHE HAD A BEAUTIFUL ALTO SINGING VOICE AND LENT HER TALENT TO THE NORTH CROSS CHOIR FOR MANY YEARS!
NOW, THE NEXT ONE IS PROBABLY NOT KNOWN TO MOST OF YOU SO WE WANTED TO SHARE IT! SHE AND HER SISTERS WERE TAP DANCERS AND EVEN WERE HEARD “TAPPING” ON A LOCAL RADIO PROGRAM WHEN THEY WERE IN THEIR YOUTH!
AFTER DON’S PASSING IN 1993, KATHRYN REMAINED IN HER OWN HOME, CARING FOR HERSELF UNTIL SHE MADE THE DECISION IN 2011 TO MOVE TO RIVERSTONE LIFESTYLE LIVING COMMUNITY.
SADLY, AFTER A FALL WHICH BROKE THE LARGE BONE IN HER THIGH, IN 2016, SHE WAS UNABLE TO RETURN TO RIVERSTONE AND TOOK UP RESIDENCE AT EXCELSIOR SPRINGS NURSING AND REHABITATION WHERE SHE RECEIVED EXCELLENT CARE. SHE WAS FOND OF ALL OF HER CAREGIVERS THERE BUT HAD A VERY SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH ONE IN PARTICULAR. HER NAME WAS GYNA GILLIHAN AND THEY SHARED A VERY SPECIAL BOND. WE WANT TO THANK GYNA FOR THAT FRIENDSHIP.
SHE WAS PREDECEASED BY HER HUSBAND, DONOVAN. HER MOTHER EMMA DOROTHEA AND FATHER HENRY VERN MELVIN, HER BROTHER CARL, WHO WAS A CASUALTY ABOARD THE USS INDIANAPOLIS, CARRYING NUCLEAR MATERIALS TO IWO JIMA IN WWII. SHE WAS VERY CLOSE TO HER BROTHER AND NEVER QUITE GOT OVER HIS LOSS.
LEFT TO MOURN HER PASSING ARE HER CHILDREN, KATHY AND LEE STANDARD, ED AND LANA GRAY, DONNA CUMMINS, CARL AND DEBBIE GRAY AND ANDREA AND DON AYERS. HER SISTERS DOROTHEA ABBOTT AND RUTH BROWN. SHE ALSO LEAVES 14 GRANDCHILDREN, 28 GREAT GRANDCHILDREN AND 2 GREAT-GREAT GRANDKIDS AND MANY OTHER FRIENDS AND EXTENDED FAMILY.
KATHERYN WILL BE SORELY MISSED, BUT WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR HER INSPIRATIONAL FAITH, POSITIVE ATTITUDE, AND MUSICAL LAUGH.
Kansas City Star (Kansas City, Missouri), March 27, 2018
KATHRYN LUCILLE GRAY - Kathryn Lucille Gray 91, of Liberty, MO passed away March 23, 2018. A Celebration of Kathryn's Life will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday March 29th at North Cross United Methodist Church, 1321 NE Vivion Road, with visitation preceding the celebration 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Inurnment at Hopkins Memorial Cemetery in Hopkins, MO will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the American Cancer Society. Kathryn was born July 8, 1926 to Henry Vern Melvin and Emma Dorothea (Gunther) Melvin. Left to mourn her passing are her children, Kathy and Lee Standard, Ed and Lana Gray, Donna Cummins, Carl and Debbie Gray, Andrea and Don Ayers, sisters, Dorothea Abbott, Ruth Brown, 15 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren, 2 great great grand kids, and many other friends and extended family.
Kathryn Lucille Gray
d. March 23, 2018
KATHRYN LUCILLE GRAY 91, OF LIBERTY, MO PASSED AWAY MARCH 23, 2018. A CELEBRATION OF KATHRYN’S LIFE WILL BE 11:00 A.M. THURSDAY MARCH 29TH AT NORTH CROSS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 1321 NE VIVION ROAD, WITH VISITATION PRECEDING THE CELEBRATION 10:00 – 11:00 A.M. INURNMENT AT HOPKINS MEMORIAL CEMETERY IN HOPKINS, MO WILL BE AT A LATER DATE. IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS ARE SUGGESTED TO THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY.
KATHRYN LUCILLE GRAY WAS BORN JULY 8, 1926 TO HENRY VERN MELVIN AND EMMA DOROTHEA (GUNTHER) MELVIN.
SHE WAS MARRIED NOVEMBER 1, 1944 TO DONOVAN BURCH GRAY. TO THIS UNION WERE BORN 5 CHILDREN, KATHY, DONOVAN EDWIN, DONNA, CARL, AND ANDREA.
KATHRYN WAS A MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER, GREAT GRANDMOTHER AND GREAT-GREAT GRANDMOTHER, WIFE, DAUGHTER AND SISTER. HER FAMILY WAS ALWAYS HER HEARTS BLOOD. SHE PRAYED FOR ALL OF THEM DAILY, FOR THEIR HEALTH AND WELFARE.
SHE AND DONOVAN STARTED THEIR MARRIAGE ON THE FARM IN BEDFORD, IOWA. DUE TO HEALTH ISSUES DONOVAN WAS FORCED TO GIVE UP FARMING AND THEY CAME TO KANSAS CITY TO WORK IN LESS PHYSICALLY DEMANDING JOBS. WHEN THEY FIRST CAME HERE THEY WORKED SIDE BY SIDE, BUYING, DETAILING AND RESELLING CARS. THE NEXT JOB THEY WORKED TOGETHER ON WAS A JOB WITH “RADIO AUTO PARTS” AND IT WORKED BY CUSTOMERS “RADIOING” THE ORDERS TO THE MOBILE TRUCK. THE PARTS WERE THEN DELIVERED DIRECTLY TO THE SHOPS. KATHRYN RECALLED THESE YEARS AS; “THE HAPPIEST TIMES OF MY LIFE”. SHE TOLD OF TAKING THEIR YOUNGEST “ANDREA” NOT YET IN SCHOOL AND DELIVERED PARTS ALL OVER THE KANSAS CITY AREA. WHEN THEY WERE DONE WITH THEIR DELIVERIES SHE AND ANDREA WOULD OFTEN STOP ON THE WAY HOME FOR HAMBURGERS AND MILKSHAKES, TO TREAT THEMSELVES FOR A JOB WELL DONE.
WHEN DONOVAN STARTED THEIR NEXT BUSINESS, “DON GRAY SALES COMPANY”, SHE BECAME SECRETARY, OFFICE MANAGER, CONCIERGE AND CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE FOR DONOVAN FREEING HIM TO CONCENTRATE SOLELY ON SALES. SHE HANDLED EACH JOB WITH HER OWN COMBINATION OF EFFICIENCY AND WARM FRIENDLINESS.
SHE WAS A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE PEO CHAPTER KF OF KANSAS CITY AND WAS AN ACTIVE LIFELONG MEMBER. SHE RECEIVED HER 50 YEAR PIN, ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO. SHE MADE MANY LIFELONG FRIENDS THROUGH THIS SISTERHOOD.
SHE ALSO COUNTED AMOUNG HER LONGEST LASTING FRIENDSHIPS, THOSE OF HER CONTEMPORARIES FROM NORTH CROSS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH.
ANYONE WHO HAD THE PLEASURE OF KNOWING KATHRYN KNEW HER TO BE A KIND, LOVING AND TRUE FRIEND. SHE MADE FRIENDS WHEREVER SHE WENT BUT TWO EXAMPLES STAND OUT. DURING SOME OF THE MOST PAINFUL PERIODS OF HER LIFE SHE SAW THE BEAUTY IN FRIENDSHIP. SHE MET A NURSE AT THE MAYO CLINIC WHO BECAME A FRIEND FOR OVER 40 YEARS BECAUSE INSTEAD OF CONCENTRATING ON HER ON PROBLEMS, SHE CHOSE TO FOCUS ON THE GREAT AND CARING NURSE WHO WAS HELPING HER. THE SECOND EXAMPLE HAPPENED ALONG THE SAME LINES. DURING A STAY IN NORTH KANSAS CITY HOSPITAL IN THE 1960’S AFTER ONE OF HER MANY SURGERIES, SHE HAD A ROOMATE WHO WAS ALSO RECOVERING FROM A SURGERY WHO BECAUSE OF THAT ASSOCIATION BECAME WHAT KATHRYN CALLED HER “BEST FRIEND”, MICKEY MCATEE. THE MCATEE’S AND THE GRAYS WENT ON SEVERAL FISHING TRIPS TO MINNESOTA WHERE THEY FISHED FOR NORTHERN PIKE AND WALLEYE. APPARENTLY THE MCATEE’S WERE INDEED SPECIAL FRIENDS BECAUSE KATHRYN SHEEPISHLY ADMITTED THAT THEY WERE HAVING SUCH A GOOD TIME THAT SHE AND MICKEY SHARED A COCKTAIL AND BECAME “TIPSY”. PROBABLY THE ONLY TIME THAT HAPPENED IN HER ENTIRE LIFE! SHE AND MICKEY HAD SUCH A GOOD FRIENDSHIP THAT LATE IN LIFE THEY LIVED IN THE SAME RETIREMENT COMMUNITY. BOTH WERE WIDOWS BY THEN AND THEY WERE HAPPY TO HAVE EACH OTHER TO LEAN ON AND BE THERE FOR EACH OTHER. THEY TOOK ALL OF THEIR MEALS TOGETHER AT RIVERSTONE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY AND EVERYONE KNEW WHEREVER KATHRYN WAS, MICKEY WOULDN’T BE FAR BEHIND. ON SUNDAYS, CARL AND I WOULD TAKE DINNER FOR THE TWO OF THEM FROM TACO BELL, ONE OF MOM’S FAVORITES. THE MENU NEVER VARIED, KATHERYN HAD THE SMALL CHIPS AND CHEESE, MICKEY HAD THE BEEFERITO AND THEY SHARED A 4 PACK OF CINNABON BITES!
KATHRYN’S FONDNESS FOR HER FRIENDS WAS BORN OUT IN HER CHRISTMAS CARDS. STARTING IN NOVEMBER SHE WOULD SET UP A CARD TABLE IN HER OFFICE FOR HER CHRISTMAS CARD OPERATION. IN HER PRIME SHE PROBABLY SENT OUT OVER 200 CHRISTMAS CARDS. AND SHE DIDN’T JUST SIGN THEM. SHE WROTE A SHORT PERSONAL NOTE, A LONG PERSONAL NOTE, OR A LETTER, DEPENDING ON HOW LONG IT HAD BEEN SINCE SHE HAD “CAUGHT UP” WITH THE PERSON. THIS IS A TRUE TRIBUTE TO FRIENDSHIP IN SUCH A BUSY SEASON!
KATHRYN’S INDOMITABLE SPIRIT WAS KNOWN AND ADMIRED BY ALL WHO KNEW HER. SHE HAD A “CAN DO SPIRIT” AND DESPITE LOSING HER LEG TO CANCER IN 1972, IT NEVER SLOWED HER DOWN. SHE MIGHT HAVE TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS, BUT LIFE WENT ON AS USUAL. AS A MATTER OF FACT, IN THE SUMMERS SHE RODE A RIDING LAWNMOWER AND ONCE A WEEK MOWED THE VACANT LOT ACROSS THE STREET FROM THEIR HOME UNTIL SHE WAS IN HER 80’S. THERE WERE MANY NEIGHBORS WHO COULD HAVE SHARED THE WORK, BUT THAT WAS HER CONTRIBUTION TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
KATHRYN HAD MANY TALENTS AND SHARED THEM FREELY WITH OTHERS. SHE MADE THE MOST MOUTH WATERING PIES AND KNEW EVERYONE’S FAVORITE AND MADE IT FOR THEIR BIRTHDAY! SHE WAS ALSO FAMOUS FOR HER GREAT BEEF AND NOODLES! MANY A BIRTHDAY DINNER REQUEST WAS FOR BEEF AND NOODLES!
SHE HAD A BEAUTIFUL ALTO SINGING VOICE AND LENT HER TALENT TO THE NORTH CROSS CHOIR FOR MANY YEARS!
NOW, THE NEXT ONE IS PROBABLY NOT KNOWN TO MOST OF YOU SO WE WANTED TO SHARE IT! SHE AND HER SISTERS WERE TAP DANCERS AND EVEN WERE HEARD “TAPPING” ON A LOCAL RADIO PROGRAM WHEN THEY WERE IN THEIR YOUTH!
AFTER DON’S PASSING IN 1993, KATHRYN REMAINED IN HER OWN HOME, CARING FOR HERSELF UNTIL SHE MADE THE DECISION IN 2011 TO MOVE TO RIVERSTONE LIFESTYLE LIVING COMMUNITY.
SADLY, AFTER A FALL WHICH BROKE THE LARGE BONE IN HER THIGH, IN 2016, SHE WAS UNABLE TO RETURN TO RIVERSTONE AND TOOK UP RESIDENCE AT EXCELSIOR SPRINGS NURSING AND REHABITATION WHERE SHE RECEIVED EXCELLENT CARE. SHE WAS FOND OF ALL OF HER CAREGIVERS THERE BUT HAD A VERY SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH ONE IN PARTICULAR. HER NAME WAS GYNA GILLIHAN AND THEY SHARED A VERY SPECIAL BOND. WE WANT TO THANK GYNA FOR THAT FRIENDSHIP.
SHE WAS PREDECEASED BY HER HUSBAND, DONOVAN. HER MOTHER EMMA DOROTHEA AND FATHER HENRY VERN MELVIN, HER BROTHER CARL, WHO WAS A CASUALTY ABOARD THE USS INDIANAPOLIS, CARRYING NUCLEAR MATERIALS TO IWO JIMA IN WWII. SHE WAS VERY CLOSE TO HER BROTHER AND NEVER QUITE GOT OVER HIS LOSS.
LEFT TO MOURN HER PASSING ARE HER CHILDREN, KATHY AND LEE STANDARD, ED AND LANA GRAY, DONNA CUMMINS, CARL AND DEBBIE GRAY AND ANDREA AND DON AYERS. HER SISTERS DOROTHEA ABBOTT AND RUTH BROWN. SHE ALSO LEAVES 14 GRANDCHILDREN, 28 GREAT GRANDCHILDREN AND 2 GREAT-GREAT GRANDKIDS AND MANY OTHER FRIENDS AND EXTENDED FAMILY.
KATHERYN WILL BE SORELY MISSED, BUT WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR HER INSPIRATIONAL FAITH, POSITIVE ATTITUDE, AND MUSICAL LAUGH.
KATHRYN LUCILLE GRAY - Kathryn Lucille Gray 91, of Liberty, MO passed away March 23, 2018. A Celebration of Kathryn's Life will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday March 29th at North Cross United Methodist Church, 1321 NE Vivion Road, with visitation preceding the celebration 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Inurnment at Hopkins Memorial Cemetery in Hopkins, MO will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the American Cancer Society. Kathryn was born July 8, 1926 to Henry Vern Melvin and Emma Dorothea (Gunther) Melvin. Left to mourn her passing are her children, Kathy and Lee Standard, Ed and Lana Gray, Donna Cummins, Carl and Debbie Gray, Andrea and Don Ayers, sisters, Dorothea Abbott, Ruth Brown, 15 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren, 2 great great grand kids, and many other friends and extended family.
Kathryn Lucille Gray
d. March 23, 2018
KATHRYN LUCILLE GRAY 91, OF LIBERTY, MO PASSED AWAY MARCH 23, 2018. A CELEBRATION OF KATHRYN’S LIFE WILL BE 11:00 A.M. THURSDAY MARCH 29TH AT NORTH CROSS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 1321 NE VIVION ROAD, WITH VISITATION PRECEDING THE CELEBRATION 10:00 – 11:00 A.M. INURNMENT AT HOPKINS MEMORIAL CEMETERY IN HOPKINS, MO WILL BE AT A LATER DATE. IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS ARE SUGGESTED TO THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY.
KATHRYN LUCILLE GRAY WAS BORN JULY 8, 1926 TO HENRY VERN MELVIN AND EMMA DOROTHEA (GUNTHER) MELVIN.
SHE WAS MARRIED NOVEMBER 1, 1944 TO DONOVAN BURCH GRAY. TO THIS UNION WERE BORN 5 CHILDREN, KATHY, DONOVAN EDWIN, DONNA, CARL, AND ANDREA.
KATHRYN WAS A MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER, GREAT GRANDMOTHER AND GREAT-GREAT GRANDMOTHER, WIFE, DAUGHTER AND SISTER. HER FAMILY WAS ALWAYS HER HEARTS BLOOD. SHE PRAYED FOR ALL OF THEM DAILY, FOR THEIR HEALTH AND WELFARE.
SHE AND DONOVAN STARTED THEIR MARRIAGE ON THE FARM IN BEDFORD, IOWA. DUE TO HEALTH ISSUES DONOVAN WAS FORCED TO GIVE UP FARMING AND THEY CAME TO KANSAS CITY TO WORK IN LESS PHYSICALLY DEMANDING JOBS. WHEN THEY FIRST CAME HERE THEY WORKED SIDE BY SIDE, BUYING, DETAILING AND RESELLING CARS. THE NEXT JOB THEY WORKED TOGETHER ON WAS A JOB WITH “RADIO AUTO PARTS” AND IT WORKED BY CUSTOMERS “RADIOING” THE ORDERS TO THE MOBILE TRUCK. THE PARTS WERE THEN DELIVERED DIRECTLY TO THE SHOPS. KATHRYN RECALLED THESE YEARS AS; “THE HAPPIEST TIMES OF MY LIFE”. SHE TOLD OF TAKING THEIR YOUNGEST “ANDREA” NOT YET IN SCHOOL AND DELIVERED PARTS ALL OVER THE KANSAS CITY AREA. WHEN THEY WERE DONE WITH THEIR DELIVERIES SHE AND ANDREA WOULD OFTEN STOP ON THE WAY HOME FOR HAMBURGERS AND MILKSHAKES, TO TREAT THEMSELVES FOR A JOB WELL DONE.
WHEN DONOVAN STARTED THEIR NEXT BUSINESS, “DON GRAY SALES COMPANY”, SHE BECAME SECRETARY, OFFICE MANAGER, CONCIERGE AND CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE FOR DONOVAN FREEING HIM TO CONCENTRATE SOLELY ON SALES. SHE HANDLED EACH JOB WITH HER OWN COMBINATION OF EFFICIENCY AND WARM FRIENDLINESS.
SHE WAS A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE PEO CHAPTER KF OF KANSAS CITY AND WAS AN ACTIVE LIFELONG MEMBER. SHE RECEIVED HER 50 YEAR PIN, ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO. SHE MADE MANY LIFELONG FRIENDS THROUGH THIS SISTERHOOD.
SHE ALSO COUNTED AMOUNG HER LONGEST LASTING FRIENDSHIPS, THOSE OF HER CONTEMPORARIES FROM NORTH CROSS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH.
ANYONE WHO HAD THE PLEASURE OF KNOWING KATHRYN KNEW HER TO BE A KIND, LOVING AND TRUE FRIEND. SHE MADE FRIENDS WHEREVER SHE WENT BUT TWO EXAMPLES STAND OUT. DURING SOME OF THE MOST PAINFUL PERIODS OF HER LIFE SHE SAW THE BEAUTY IN FRIENDSHIP. SHE MET A NURSE AT THE MAYO CLINIC WHO BECAME A FRIEND FOR OVER 40 YEARS BECAUSE INSTEAD OF CONCENTRATING ON HER ON PROBLEMS, SHE CHOSE TO FOCUS ON THE GREAT AND CARING NURSE WHO WAS HELPING HER. THE SECOND EXAMPLE HAPPENED ALONG THE SAME LINES. DURING A STAY IN NORTH KANSAS CITY HOSPITAL IN THE 1960’S AFTER ONE OF HER MANY SURGERIES, SHE HAD A ROOMATE WHO WAS ALSO RECOVERING FROM A SURGERY WHO BECAUSE OF THAT ASSOCIATION BECAME WHAT KATHRYN CALLED HER “BEST FRIEND”, MICKEY MCATEE. THE MCATEE’S AND THE GRAYS WENT ON SEVERAL FISHING TRIPS TO MINNESOTA WHERE THEY FISHED FOR NORTHERN PIKE AND WALLEYE. APPARENTLY THE MCATEE’S WERE INDEED SPECIAL FRIENDS BECAUSE KATHRYN SHEEPISHLY ADMITTED THAT THEY WERE HAVING SUCH A GOOD TIME THAT SHE AND MICKEY SHARED A COCKTAIL AND BECAME “TIPSY”. PROBABLY THE ONLY TIME THAT HAPPENED IN HER ENTIRE LIFE! SHE AND MICKEY HAD SUCH A GOOD FRIENDSHIP THAT LATE IN LIFE THEY LIVED IN THE SAME RETIREMENT COMMUNITY. BOTH WERE WIDOWS BY THEN AND THEY WERE HAPPY TO HAVE EACH OTHER TO LEAN ON AND BE THERE FOR EACH OTHER. THEY TOOK ALL OF THEIR MEALS TOGETHER AT RIVERSTONE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY AND EVERYONE KNEW WHEREVER KATHRYN WAS, MICKEY WOULDN’T BE FAR BEHIND. ON SUNDAYS, CARL AND I WOULD TAKE DINNER FOR THE TWO OF THEM FROM TACO BELL, ONE OF MOM’S FAVORITES. THE MENU NEVER VARIED, KATHERYN HAD THE SMALL CHIPS AND CHEESE, MICKEY HAD THE BEEFERITO AND THEY SHARED A 4 PACK OF CINNABON BITES!
KATHRYN’S FONDNESS FOR HER FRIENDS WAS BORN OUT IN HER CHRISTMAS CARDS. STARTING IN NOVEMBER SHE WOULD SET UP A CARD TABLE IN HER OFFICE FOR HER CHRISTMAS CARD OPERATION. IN HER PRIME SHE PROBABLY SENT OUT OVER 200 CHRISTMAS CARDS. AND SHE DIDN’T JUST SIGN THEM. SHE WROTE A SHORT PERSONAL NOTE, A LONG PERSONAL NOTE, OR A LETTER, DEPENDING ON HOW LONG IT HAD BEEN SINCE SHE HAD “CAUGHT UP” WITH THE PERSON. THIS IS A TRUE TRIBUTE TO FRIENDSHIP IN SUCH A BUSY SEASON!
KATHRYN’S INDOMITABLE SPIRIT WAS KNOWN AND ADMIRED BY ALL WHO KNEW HER. SHE HAD A “CAN DO SPIRIT” AND DESPITE LOSING HER LEG TO CANCER IN 1972, IT NEVER SLOWED HER DOWN. SHE MIGHT HAVE TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS, BUT LIFE WENT ON AS USUAL. AS A MATTER OF FACT, IN THE SUMMERS SHE RODE A RIDING LAWNMOWER AND ONCE A WEEK MOWED THE VACANT LOT ACROSS THE STREET FROM THEIR HOME UNTIL SHE WAS IN HER 80’S. THERE WERE MANY NEIGHBORS WHO COULD HAVE SHARED THE WORK, BUT THAT WAS HER CONTRIBUTION TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
KATHRYN HAD MANY TALENTS AND SHARED THEM FREELY WITH OTHERS. SHE MADE THE MOST MOUTH WATERING PIES AND KNEW EVERYONE’S FAVORITE AND MADE IT FOR THEIR BIRTHDAY! SHE WAS ALSO FAMOUS FOR HER GREAT BEEF AND NOODLES! MANY A BIRTHDAY DINNER REQUEST WAS FOR BEEF AND NOODLES!
SHE HAD A BEAUTIFUL ALTO SINGING VOICE AND LENT HER TALENT TO THE NORTH CROSS CHOIR FOR MANY YEARS!
NOW, THE NEXT ONE IS PROBABLY NOT KNOWN TO MOST OF YOU SO WE WANTED TO SHARE IT! SHE AND HER SISTERS WERE TAP DANCERS AND EVEN WERE HEARD “TAPPING” ON A LOCAL RADIO PROGRAM WHEN THEY WERE IN THEIR YOUTH!
AFTER DON’S PASSING IN 1993, KATHRYN REMAINED IN HER OWN HOME, CARING FOR HERSELF UNTIL SHE MADE THE DECISION IN 2011 TO MOVE TO RIVERSTONE LIFESTYLE LIVING COMMUNITY.
SADLY, AFTER A FALL WHICH BROKE THE LARGE BONE IN HER THIGH, IN 2016, SHE WAS UNABLE TO RETURN TO RIVERSTONE AND TOOK UP RESIDENCE AT EXCELSIOR SPRINGS NURSING AND REHABITATION WHERE SHE RECEIVED EXCELLENT CARE. SHE WAS FOND OF ALL OF HER CAREGIVERS THERE BUT HAD A VERY SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH ONE IN PARTICULAR. HER NAME WAS GYNA GILLIHAN AND THEY SHARED A VERY SPECIAL BOND. WE WANT TO THANK GYNA FOR THAT FRIENDSHIP.
SHE WAS PREDECEASED BY HER HUSBAND, DONOVAN. HER MOTHER EMMA DOROTHEA AND FATHER HENRY VERN MELVIN, HER BROTHER CARL, WHO WAS A CASUALTY ABOARD THE USS INDIANAPOLIS, CARRYING NUCLEAR MATERIALS TO IWO JIMA IN WWII. SHE WAS VERY CLOSE TO HER BROTHER AND NEVER QUITE GOT OVER HIS LOSS.
LEFT TO MOURN HER PASSING ARE HER CHILDREN, KATHY AND LEE STANDARD, ED AND LANA GRAY, DONNA CUMMINS, CARL AND DEBBIE GRAY AND ANDREA AND DON AYERS. HER SISTERS DOROTHEA ABBOTT AND RUTH BROWN. SHE ALSO LEAVES 14 GRANDCHILDREN, 28 GREAT GRANDCHILDREN AND 2 GREAT-GREAT GRANDKIDS AND MANY OTHER FRIENDS AND EXTENDED FAMILY.
KATHERYN WILL BE SORELY MISSED, BUT WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR HER INSPIRATIONAL FAITH, POSITIVE ATTITUDE, AND MUSICAL LAUGH.
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