Obituary of Frederick Herbert Gray

Frederick passed away March 5, 2014, in Lakewood, Washington, at the age of 88. He was born August 3, 1925 to Harold George Herbert Gray and Clara May Lipton Gray in Seattle, Washington, where he also attended Franklin High School. He served in the U.S. Army 101st Airborne during World War II from 1944 to 1946, 18 months of the time in England, France and Germany. On February 1, 1946, he married the love of his life, Mary Frances Miles, in Seattle. Frederick worked for Pacific Northwest Bell from 1949 to 1984, attended electrical trade school in Seattle in 1952, and served as a board member of Royal Ridges Horse Camp in Battleground, Washington for three years. Over his lifetime, he lived in several Washington cities, including Seattle, Des Moines (1962-1972), and Olympia (42 years). Frederick loved hunting and fishing, but his greatest love was of Jesus and his family. He was a great handyman, always fixing and repairing things. He also loved woodworking. In 1988, he completed a short mission to build a church in Cebu City, Philippines, and a second mission in 1989 to help build Evangelical Theological College of the Philippines. He was a member of Olympia’s Hope Community Church. Frederick is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mary Gray of Olympia; sons, Patrick H. Gray of Goldendale, Washington, John L. Gray of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and Charles A. Gray of Imbler, Oregon; daughter B. Jean Smith of Olympia; 12 grandchildren; and 11 great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his father, Harold Gray; mother, Clara May Fix; brother, Donald Gray; and sister, Edith Madison. Memorial donations in Frederick’s name may be made to the Hope Community Church. Please leave memories of Frederick or condolences for his family in the Guestbook below.