Robert P. Gray

Robert “Bob” Gray, 92, of Garner died Friday, February 9, 2018 at the Concord Care Center in Garner.

A memorial visitation will be held from 1 to 3 P.M., Saturday, April 7th at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel in Garner. At 3 P.M. there will be a Scriptural wake service by Rev. Brian Lund of Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church. Burial will follow the visitation at Peace Reformed Cemetery south of Garner with military rites by the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit.

Memorials may be directed to the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit.

Robert Paul Gray, the son of William and Iola (Benner) Gray, was born December 24, 1925, at St. Louis, MO. He graduated from Alton High School in Illinois in 1943. Bob served his country during WW II in the U.S. Navy as a radar technician. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Alton and worked at a steel mill. On June 1, 1946, he married Huldina Scherb. To this union five children were born. They later divorced. Bob moved to Sioux Falls, SD in September of 1947 where he attended and graduated from Augustana College in 1950. Bob then reenlisted in the US Navy during the Korean War. Upon his discharge, he moved to Clear Lake and worked for Great Lakes pipeline as a chemist. In 1965, he bought a hardware store in Ventura. On January 22, 1976, he married Frances Goll in Garner. They made their home in Garner where Bob owned and operated Gray’s Plumbing and Heating until his retirement in 1987. He enjoyed reading and playing cards.

Bob was a very active life member of the Garner VFW Post 5515. He was proud to be a veteran and loved being a long-time member of the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit to honor other veterans. He also was a member of Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church where he served on the church consistory.

Bob is survived by his four sons, Layne (Margaret) Gray of Rutland, OH, Douglas Gray of Orlando, FL, Reed Gray of Jacksonville, FL and Scott (Marla) Gray of Woodland Park, CO; 12 grandchildren; several great grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; and special friends, Dale and Linda Upmeyer and family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Frances, Dec. 18, 2002; daughter, Shelia Gray in 1973; a sister, Willa Mae Mitchell; and a great grandson, Robert Hoadley in 2014.