Charles Allen Gray Sr.
Charles Gray Sr. Obituary
In Loving Memory of
Charles Allen Gray Sr.
Charles Gray was born on July 10, 1929 in Slayton, Minnesota to George and Ruth Cochran Gray. Charles was baptized on April 20, 1930 at the Presbyterian Church in Slayton. He grew up on the family farm six miles north of Slayton, attended country school, and was very active in 4-H. In 1941 the family moved to the Lake Sarah farm. On November 19, 1950 Charles and Wilma Carlson were married at the First Congregational Church in Garvin, MN. Following their marriage Charles continued farming with his father. Charles was drafted into the United States Army on September 29, 1951 and served in the Korean War. While serving in the army, Charles received his high school diploma. While Charles was serving his country, Wilma was back home raising chickens and was able to save enough money that they could build a new home on the family farm site. Following his honorable discharge on June 30, 1953 Charles returned to Wilma and the family farm. In 1958 they moved to a farm near Heron Lake, MN and resided there for five years before returning to Slayton in 1963 where they continued to farm. In 1983, they purchased the Country Host and Truck Stop. They ran the truck stop until 1989 when they moved to Cameron, MO. Charles was a salesman at heart. Over the years, he sold real estate for Bucher Real Estate in Pipestone, was a Dekalb Dealer, and sold Hillsboro livestock trailers all over the country. In 2004 Charles retired and they made their home in Slayton. Retirement did not last long as they decided to purchase rental properties in Slayton. Due to failing health Charles moved to Our House Hospice Home in Slayton where he passed away on Sunday, April 22, 2018 at the age of 88. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Slayton and served on the church board. He also was a member of the Murray County Farm Bureau, the Minnesota Angus Association, the American Angus Association, Murray County Co-op Board and was a 4-H Livestock Leader. Charles enjoyed spending time with his family, keeping current with his grandchildren families and activities, showing cattle, attending fairs, traveling with Wilma and watching the Minnesota Twins and the Minnesota Vikings.
Survivors include his wife, Wilma Gray of Slayton, MN, three children and their spouses, Charles Gray Jr. and Deana Bashor of Cameron, MO, Sharon and James Gerber of Slayton, MN and Nancy Nasers of Sibley, IA, one daughter-in-law, Debra Gray of Cameron, MO, eleven grandchildren, Crystalline Gray, Bobbe Gray and Keegan Moonen, Jesse Gray, Nicole and Nathan Honan, Jerred Gray, Cody Gerber and Natalie Brown, Chelsey and Keith Carlson, Melissa and Adam Norby, Lindsay and Brian Watterson, Colton Nasers and Catherine Schuller and Colin Nasers, 14 great-grandchildren, Koy Moonen, Elle Moonen, Jakob Gray, Jenna Gray, Addie Honan, Brewer Honan, Chet Honan, Abriel Bonnstetter, Gage Gerber, Rhett Carlson, Caroline Norby, Halsten Norby, Peyton Watterson and Emma Watterson, three sisters-in-law, Wava Vickerman and her husband, James of Tracy, MN, Jay Carlson of Kansas and Mary Carlson of Rushford, MN and many nieces and nephews and their families. He is preceded in death by his parents, son, David Gray, parents-in-law, Oscar and Violet Carlson, three brothers-in-law, Wayne and his wives, Irma and Rosemary, Willard Carlson, Mavis Carlson and Wesley Carlson.
Memorial Services
United Methodist Church in Slayton, MN on Friday, April 27, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. with Ethanie Schmidt officiating. The organist is Janet Voges with special music by Cody Gerber and Sue Muck. The honorary pallbearers are Jesse Gray, Jerred Gray, Cody Gerber, Colton Nasers, and Colin Nasers. Interment is at Slayton Memorial Gardens in Slayton, MN. Military honors accorded by the Slayton American Legion Post and the Slayton VFW Post.
Visitation will be on Thursday, April 26, 2018 at the Totzke Funeral Home in Slayton from 4-7 and also one hour prior to the services at the church on Friday.
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