Obituary for James R. Gray
James R. Gray, 90, of Erie, passed away peacefully, on Friday, January 11, 2019 at his residence. He was born in Erie on October 20, 1928, the son of the late George C. and Bernice M. Richardson Gray.
James worked as an instrument technician at Penelec for 42 years, retiring in 1989. He was a past member of Messiah Lutheran Church. James loved to travel and would winter in Florida. He was a Western Square Dancer for over 22 years. James enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, and wine making. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his great-grandchildren at family get-togethers.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Ruth A. Deutsch Gray; his two sisters, Luella Morey and Arlene Dyckes; and his brother, Leonard Gray.
Survivors include his two daughters, Rev. Karen Kostur and her husband, William of Franklin, PA and Janet Gray of Erie; his two sons, Donald Gray and his fiancée, Kathy Fuller of North East and Robert Gray and his fiancée, Brenda Costigan, of Derry, New Hampshire; his granddaughter, Heather McKee and her husband Donald; and his three great-grandchildren, Danielle, Kendra, and Braydon.
The family would like to thank the staff and caregivers at the VNA Hospice of Erie for the care they gave James.
Friends may call at the Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home, Inc. 5000 Wattsburg Rd. on Tuesday from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. and are invited to services there the following morning at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to Messiah Lutheran Church, 2025 Eastern Ave., Erie, PA 16510, or to the American Cancer Society - 2115 W 38th St, Erie, PA 16508.
James worked as an instrument technician at Penelec for 42 years, retiring in 1989. He was a past member of Messiah Lutheran Church. James loved to travel and would winter in Florida. He was a Western Square Dancer for over 22 years. James enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, and wine making. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his great-grandchildren at family get-togethers.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Ruth A. Deutsch Gray; his two sisters, Luella Morey and Arlene Dyckes; and his brother, Leonard Gray.
Survivors include his two daughters, Rev. Karen Kostur and her husband, William of Franklin, PA and Janet Gray of Erie; his two sons, Donald Gray and his fiancée, Kathy Fuller of North East and Robert Gray and his fiancée, Brenda Costigan, of Derry, New Hampshire; his granddaughter, Heather McKee and her husband Donald; and his three great-grandchildren, Danielle, Kendra, and Braydon.
The family would like to thank the staff and caregivers at the VNA Hospice of Erie for the care they gave James.
Friends may call at the Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home, Inc. 5000 Wattsburg Rd. on Tuesday from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. and are invited to services there the following morning at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to Messiah Lutheran Church, 2025 Eastern Ave., Erie, PA 16510, or to the American Cancer Society - 2115 W 38th St, Erie, PA 16508.