Gray

Gerald M. Gray, 91, of Jefferson Township passed peacefully to glory at 10:30 p.m. Monday at VA Butler Healthcare, Butler Township.

Jerry had lived on his family farm in Winfield Township for more than 48 years before he and his wife moved into their Concordia apartment.

Gerald Gray lived his values. He loved his beautiful wife, Patricia, his family, his Lord, and his country.

Gerald was born in Herminie, Westmoreland County, Aug. 8, 1919, to Scottish parents, Aben and Violet (Heakins) Gray.

He was a devout Christian and a faithful church member serving in many capacities including head usher, fellowship chairman, choir member and elder. He most recently was a member of the Zion United Methodist Church, Sarver.

Jerry stood in line to enlist in the U.S. Army Air Corps in December 1941 following the attack on Pearl Harbor. He served as a crew chief with the famed 339th Squadron in the South Pacific. He was severely wounded at Guadalcanal and was honorably discharged in 1945.

After serving his country, Gerald worked for Napoleon Pontiac as service manager for 33 years, retiring in 1981. He was known as “Jerry at Napoleon Pontiac” to many people in the Valley.

He also was an avid hunter and fisherman. He took notable trips, including one to Alaska in which he competed for fish with a grizzly.

Jerry and his wife, Pat, were actively involved in fundraising events with the Allegheny Valley Young Life ministry. Jerry also was a longtime driver for the Freeport Food Bank.

Patricia A. (Stafford) Gray and Gerald Gray celebrated their 66th anniversary Dec. 31, 2010, at Concordia.

They raised three sons and three daughters, Janice (Dallas) Silvis of Cadogan, Paul (Cheryl) Gray of Bothell, Wash., Deborah Gray (Joseph) MacKenzie of Kenmore, Wash., Dr. Colleen Gray of Sarver, William (Sherri) Gray of Poulsbo, Wash., and Dr. Gordon Gray of Missoula, Mont. Gerald was lovingly involved in the lives of his 14 grandchildren, Virginia (Ronald) Silvis-Kemerer, Matthew Silvis, Stephanie (Christopher) Gray-Chen, Diana (Jason) Gray-Pittman, Summerlea Gray, Patricia Colleen MacKenzie, Gerald J. MacKenzie, Rebecca (Benjamin) Neubert Dominguez, Dr. Lee J. Neubert, Scott Gray, Sarah Colleen Gray, Mara Kate Gray, Molly Gray and William Gray. He cherished his great-grandchildren, Eliana, Isaac and Abigail Kemerer, Benjamin Chen and Baby Chen due in October.

Gerald joins his brothers and sisters who have gone on before him, Paul, Eldred, William (Verna) Gray, Ruth (Fred) Benedict, Vivian (John) Fitts and Lyda (Jack) Nichols.

His younger sister, Esther Waynick, lives in Glen Burnie, Md.

<B>GRAY</B> — Family and friends of Gerald M. Gray, who died Monday, March 14, 2011, are being received Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the <B>Redmond Funeral Home</B>, 524 High St. Freeport. Public visitation will continue Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Zion United Methodist Church in Sarver, where the funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Howard Greenfield officiating.Memorial contributions may be made to Allegheny Valley Young Life, 6003 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights, PA 15065.To send a condolence, visit www.redmondfuneralhomeinc.com