In Memory Of
Jean Frances Gray
1954
2024
Jean Frances Gray
January 5, 1954 — April 30, 2024
TOPEKA- Jean Frances (Tharp) Gray 70, passed away peacefully, April 30, 2024 at home with her husband and children surrounding her.
Jean was born to Charles Tharp, of Parsons, and Jane (Foltz) Tharp of Topeka, in Topeka, January 5th, 1954. She was the youngest of three children.
Jean attended Topeka public schools graduating from Topeka West High School in 1972. She attended Washburn University for one year prior to enrolling in the Stormont Vail School of Nursing, graduating in 1977 as a registered nurse. She worked primarily for Stormont Vail for her entire career except for a brief time at St Francis Hospital and for Shawnee County. Most of the years she spent at Stormont Vail were in the Birthplace where she enjoyed many friendships.
Jean met Paul Gray while attending a motorcycle race in Hutchinson, Ks in April of 1974. The two were stuck in the back of her brother’s van for the trip and never were apart since. After several years of dating and enjoying life and graduation from nursing school the two were married on October 22, 1977. Jean and Paul lived in an old farmhouse Paul renovated until 1982 when they moved back to town which started a 46-year habit of moving and renovating houses. By the time Paul got them just about finished Jean was ready to move on. Eventually they moved ten times over their 46-year marriage, not including two locations over 30 years at Lake Wabaunsee. The couple filled their 50 years of friendship and marriage with many homes, trips, and experiences.
Jean was preceded in death by her father Charles Tharp and a brother Steve Tharp.
Jean is survived by Paul Gray, husband, Kelly Gray, daughter, of Kansas City and a son, Matthew Gray (Katie), of Topeka, as well as her sister Joan Scott (Pat) of Lake Wabaunsee and her mother Jane Tharp of Topeka. She also leaves behind three grandchildren whom she adored (Charlie and Henry Gray of Topeka, and William Doohan of Kansas City) and nieces Billi Seibert of Enterprise and Christi Evans of Auburn and their families. Her family and all who met her loved her and will miss her silliness and laughter.
Services for Jean will be at Mount Hope Cemetery at 1:00pm on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, with visitation an hour earlier. It is suggested that any contributions be used to raise a glass of champagne or other favorite beverage at a special moment of your choosing.
To leave a message for Jean’s family online, please click the “Share Memories” button above.
Jean was born to Charles Tharp, of Parsons, and Jane (Foltz) Tharp of Topeka, in Topeka, January 5th, 1954. She was the youngest of three children.
Jean attended Topeka public schools graduating from Topeka West High School in 1972. She attended Washburn University for one year prior to enrolling in the Stormont Vail School of Nursing, graduating in 1977 as a registered nurse. She worked primarily for Stormont Vail for her entire career except for a brief time at St Francis Hospital and for Shawnee County. Most of the years she spent at Stormont Vail were in the Birthplace where she enjoyed many friendships.
Jean met Paul Gray while attending a motorcycle race in Hutchinson, Ks in April of 1974. The two were stuck in the back of her brother’s van for the trip and never were apart since. After several years of dating and enjoying life and graduation from nursing school the two were married on October 22, 1977. Jean and Paul lived in an old farmhouse Paul renovated until 1982 when they moved back to town which started a 46-year habit of moving and renovating houses. By the time Paul got them just about finished Jean was ready to move on. Eventually they moved ten times over their 46-year marriage, not including two locations over 30 years at Lake Wabaunsee. The couple filled their 50 years of friendship and marriage with many homes, trips, and experiences.
Jean was preceded in death by her father Charles Tharp and a brother Steve Tharp.
Jean is survived by Paul Gray, husband, Kelly Gray, daughter, of Kansas City and a son, Matthew Gray (Katie), of Topeka, as well as her sister Joan Scott (Pat) of Lake Wabaunsee and her mother Jane Tharp of Topeka. She also leaves behind three grandchildren whom she adored (Charlie and Henry Gray of Topeka, and William Doohan of Kansas City) and nieces Billi Seibert of Enterprise and Christi Evans of Auburn and their families. Her family and all who met her loved her and will miss her silliness and laughter.
Services for Jean will be at Mount Hope Cemetery at 1:00pm on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, with visitation an hour earlier. It is suggested that any contributions be used to raise a glass of champagne or other favorite beverage at a special moment of your choosing.
To leave a message for Jean’s family online, please click the “Share Memories” button above.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jean Frances Gray, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
12:00 - 1:00 pm (Central time)
Mount Hope Cemetery & Funeral Chapel
Service
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Starts at 1:00 pm (Central time)
Mount Hope Cemetery & Funeral Chapel
Guestbook
Visits: 31
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