Born Aug. 2, 1923, in Cold Springs, Mo. Roy Ervin Gray, son of the late Sherman and Mattie (Jones) Gray, was born Aug. 2, 1923, in Cold Springs, Mo., and passed away Dec. 21, 2006, at his residence in Norwood, at the age of 83.
Roy married Velma Hopper on Feb. 27, 1943. Eight children were born to this union.
Roy served in the U.S. Army during World War II, doing duty in the Philippines. He often shared stories of how the Lord sustained and guided him during that assignment. He was very patriotic and impressed that upon his family. After Christmas and Easter, Independence Day was a day to be observed and celebrated.
Roy trusted the Lord to provide him the means of providing for his family. He shared the gospel with many as he preached and pastored in area churches. He rejoiced in seeing people accept Christ as Savior, including his children and grandchildren. He baptized and performed a number of marriage ceremonies for his descendents.
Roy was well known for his expertise as a carpenter.
Besides his parents, Roy was preceded in death by one daughter, Janice Hill and her husband, Billy; one great-grandson, Bradley Hill; one great-granddaughter, Cherish Hill; two brothers and four sisters.
Roy is survived by his loving wife of their home, Velma Gray; four sons, Roy Dean, David Wayne and his wife, Barb, John Kevin and his wife, Debra, and Timothy Brian and his wife, Sheila, all of Norwood; three daughters, Carolyn Stofer and her husband, Leo, and Donna Gilley and her husband, Delbert, all of Mountain Grove, and Sherry McIntosh and her husband, Paul, of Norwood; 21 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; and a host of other family and friends.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Dec. 26, at 2 p.m., in the Craig-Hurtt Chapel, Mtn. Grove, with the Revs. Craig Blankenship and Brandon McIntosh officiating. Burial was in the Denlow Cemetery under the direction of Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mtn. Grove. Full military honors were conducted by American Legion Post 30, with Jared Moore serving as bugler at the cemetery.
