Daniel R. Gray

Daniel R. Gray, 64 year old resident of the Pierz/Buckman area, passed away on Friday, July 4, 2014 at St. Cloud Hospital surrounded by his family after a 6 year battle with cancer. A Funeral Service for Dan will be held at 11 AM on Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hillman, MN. The minister will be Shirley Adolphson and burial will be at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery by Little Falls, MN. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 PM on Tuesday, July 8th at Shelley-Virnig Funeral Chapel in Pierz, MN, and from 10 to 11 AM on Wednesday at the church. Daniel Roy Gray was born on December 3, 1949 in Storm Lake, IA to the late William and Nina (Knaus) Gray. His father was a minister and the family moved to many different communities in the central United States. Dan entered into service with the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division and served overseas in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968. Following his honorable discharge from active duty, Dan served with the MN National Guard stationed at Camp Ripley for many years. Dan was united in marriage to the love of his life, Judy Hanson, on September 29, 1970 at Springvale Baptist Church near Cambridge, MN. Together they settled in the Dalbo, MN area. In 1986, they moved to the Pierz/Buckman area, and their children graduated from the Pierz schools. Dan enjoyed spending time outdoors, and especially loved camping with his grandchildren. He had a love of music and playing his guitar. Dan enjoyed socializing and joking around with old friends and new. He loved to read, stating that a good book got better and you learned new things each time you reread it. Dan was a lifetime member of the Little Falls V.F.W. and the D.A.V. He faithfully fought for his country, and was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and all around good man who will be dearly missed by all who knew him. Dan is survived by his wife of 43 years, Judy Gray; son, Joshua Gray of Pierz; daughters, Amy (Dennis) Gotvald and Heidi (Brian) Przybilla, both of Pierz; grandchildren, Kristin, Kara, and Connor Gotvald, Alysia and Brandon Przybilla; brothers, John and Phillip Gray, both of Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Linda Gray; and an infant daughter. Honorary casketbearers will be his grandchildren. Casketbearers will be Jim Kunza, Bob Bullford, Tom Theis, Craig Hansen, Brian Przybilla, and Dennis Gotvald.

Tributes

Daniel R. Gray

December 3, 1949 - July 4, 2014