IRA GASTON GRAY, 94, of Abilene, TX, passed away
April 27, 2016, with burial at Sunset Memorial Gardens
in Odessa, TX
Born in Ranger, TX on Nov. 4, 1921, Ira was the son
of Ben & Mattie Gray. He attended Ranger High School
in the Class of 1940 but moved to Odessa, TX, where
he graduated from Odessa High School in 1941. He
served during WWII in the U.S. Navy VB19 Squadron
(1942-1946) & was awarded the Purple Heart. He was
a gauger for Gulf Pipeline for 44 years.
Ira married Dorothy Watson in Dec. of 1949 in Carlsbad,
NM. He was a charter member of Odessa Bible Church,
serving as an elder for 35 years and served in the
AWANA Children's Ministry. His pastimes included
golfing, fishing and traveling. He moved from Odessa
to Abilene in 2004.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers,
Willard Gray (RHS-1937) and Edmond Gray and a sister,
Murdell Gray Rowlett (RHS-1940).
Ira is survived by his wife of 66 years, Dorothy Gray
of Abilene; children, Debbie Osborn and husband Stephen
of Abilene, Connie Patterson and husband Tomm of Trophy
Club, TX; and Neal Gray and wife Kristi of Frisco, TX;
seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and one
on the way; and two brothers, Bobby Gray (RHS-1945) of
Odessa and Jack Gray of Angleton.