Gray

Howard Russell Gray, 66, of Butler passed away Wednesday after a long fight with cancer.

He was born May 10, 1944, in Butler, the son of the late Homer and Dorothy (Warner) Gray.

Howard enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1962 and served on the aircraft carrier USS Independence during the Cuban Missile Crisis and blockade of Cuba.

He was employed most of his life as a union carpenter in Local 922 and was a very gifted welder and fabricator.

He was known lovingly by friends as “Home Brew.”

Howard loved his family and friends and was one of the greatest people to be around. He was also a tough man who taught his sons to work hard. He was very proud of his sons, who all became successful because of his teaching. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Victoria (Claypoole) Gray; three sons, Homer Gray of Slippery Rock, Daniel Gray of Butler and John Gray of Harrisville; one daughter, Karen Spohn of Butler; eight grandchildren, Ricky, Samantha, Kash, Alexandra, Cruz, Gaven, Veronica and Chanel; one sister, Dorothy “Sis” Walsh of Butler; and two brothers, Richard Gray of Slippery Rock and John Gray of Butler.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Tom and Jim Gray.

<B>GRAY</B> — A memorial service for Howard Russell Gray, who died Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2010, will be Saturday at 1 p.m. at Rider Lutheran Church, 189 Rider Church Rd., West Sunbury with Dennis Hindman officiating. A luncheon will follow the service at the church hall.Arrangements were done by <B>Young Funeral Home</B>.For more information, go to www.youngfuneralhomes.com.