In Memory Of
Ronald Martin Gray
1923
2012
Ronald Martin Gray
March 28, 1923 — December 17, 2012
Ronald Martin Gray, 89, of Topeka, passed away peacefully at his home in Topeka, Monday, December 17, 2012.
He was born March 28, 1923 in Barnesville, MN, the youngest child of Roy James Gray and Jessie Pearl Christianson Gray. Martin served in WW II as a tank driver in the 3rd Armored Division, First Army, and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He worked many years as a radio and TV personality for several stations including KAKE in Wichita, WIBW and WREN in Topeka and WDAF in Kansas City. He retired in 1988 from the U.S. Postal Service.
He was married to Bonnie Mae Lyons on September 10, 1947 in Topeka.
He enjoyed his family and grandchildren, trains, playing music on his ukulele, harmonica and piano, performing in several Topeka Civic Theatre productions, singing Barbershop music, writing, playing bridge and having coffee with his McBuddies.
He is survived by his wife, children, Debbie Gray and Denise Stevens of Topeka, Diane (John) Wurzer of Ellicott City, MD and Daniel (Susan) Gray of Wichita; grandchildren, Valerie, Erin and Rachel Gray of Wichita and David Stevens of Lexington, KY and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Robert and Theodore and sisters, Charlene Kester and Maxine Ross.
A funeral ceremony will be 11 a.m., Friday, December 21, 2012 at the First Presbyterian Church, 817 SW Harrison, Topeka, KS 66612. Private family interment with military honors will follow at Prairie Home Cemetery, Topeka. Martin will lie in state after 3 p.m., Thursday at the Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Rd, where the family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.
To leave a special message for Martin's family, please visit the guestbook below.
He was born March 28, 1923 in Barnesville, MN, the youngest child of Roy James Gray and Jessie Pearl Christianson Gray. Martin served in WW II as a tank driver in the 3rd Armored Division, First Army, and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He worked many years as a radio and TV personality for several stations including KAKE in Wichita, WIBW and WREN in Topeka and WDAF in Kansas City. He retired in 1988 from the U.S. Postal Service.
He was married to Bonnie Mae Lyons on September 10, 1947 in Topeka.
He enjoyed his family and grandchildren, trains, playing music on his ukulele, harmonica and piano, performing in several Topeka Civic Theatre productions, singing Barbershop music, writing, playing bridge and having coffee with his McBuddies.
He is survived by his wife, children, Debbie Gray and Denise Stevens of Topeka, Diane (John) Wurzer of Ellicott City, MD and Daniel (Susan) Gray of Wichita; grandchildren, Valerie, Erin and Rachel Gray of Wichita and David Stevens of Lexington, KY and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Robert and Theodore and sisters, Charlene Kester and Maxine Ross.
A funeral ceremony will be 11 a.m., Friday, December 21, 2012 at the First Presbyterian Church, 817 SW Harrison, Topeka, KS 66612. Private family interment with military honors will follow at Prairie Home Cemetery, Topeka. Martin will lie in state after 3 p.m., Thursday at the Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Rd, where the family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.
To leave a special message for Martin's family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ronald Martin Gray, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Thursday, December 20, 2012
5:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)
Dove Cremations & Funerals - Southwest
Service
Friday, December 21, 2012
Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)
First Presbyterian Church
Guestbook
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