Obituary of Earl-L. Gray

Earl L. Gray, Cabool, Mo., son of Willis and Lula (Anderson) Gray, born in Brushy Knob, Mo., November 3, 1922, died suddenly at home on November 29, 2005, at the age of 83. He was raised in the Brushy Knob area. Earl was converted at the age of 8 which had a great impact on his entire life. He graduated from Ava High School in 1942, and honorably served over three years in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He built, owned and operated "Earl Gray's Auto Repair" in Tucson, Arizona, for over a decade. Earl was an accomplished folk artist (wood and sandstone carvings, paintings, rock arrangements), loved to sing and play his guitars, banjo, mandolin, and harmonica enjoyed picnics with his High School Class reunions and his family and friends on his farm. Earl loved life, enjoyed swapping stories and jokes, and was always busy with a project. He was an honest man, a man of his word, and a great friend to many. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. He was preceded in death by his parents his brother, Marion his first child who died in infancy, Joyce Loretta and his childhood best friend and cousin, Harley Hitchcock, who was killed in World War II. He is survived by his devoted wife, Norma D. (Elliott) Gray three children from his former marriage: Eddie Gray, Larry Gray, and Norma Gray (all from Tucson, Arizona) his beloved sister, Hazel Oxley and her husband, Jim (from Mountain Grove) brother, Walter Gray and his wife, Hazel (from Nebraska) eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Earl Gray will be held Saturday, December 3, 10 a.m. in the Cornerstone Freewill Baptist Church, Mtn. Grove, with Rev. Ronald Turner officiating. Burial will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery under the direction of Craig-Hurtt-Bradley Funeral Home, Mtn. Grove. Friends may call at their convenience after 10 a.m. today, December 2, in the funeral home. No formal visitation.