Eugene R. Gray, 85, passed away peacefully with his wife by his side Sunday morning, February 7, 2016 in the Catherine Kasper Nursing Home, Donaldson, IN. He was the beloved husband of Phyllis J. (Hessler) Gray and of the late Beverly (Rounds) Gray.
Born in Providence, RI, a son of the late David R. Gray Sr. and the late Edwina P. (Ryon) Gray, he graduated from Brown University with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. Gene worked as a research chemist for DuPont, in pharmaceuticals for the Olin Corporation and lastly for Houba in Culver, IN from where he retired. Gene was a member of the St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Plymouth where he served as an usher, on the Church’s vestry, in the Brotherhood of St. Andrew and Friday morning breakfast group. He was a member of Harmony Lodge #9 F&AM, Cranston, of Plymouth-Kilwinning Masonic Lodge #149 and of the Scottish Rite Valley of South Bend. He served on the board of directors for the Plymouth American Red Cross, was a board member for the Community Resource Center in Plymouth, and a dedicated member of the Marshall County Local Emergency Planning Committee also serving as chairman for several years. He enjoyed being with people, family and friends alike. Gene appreciated reading, doing puzzles, watching birds and dining out.
In addition to his wife of 20 years, Phyllis of Plymouth, he is survived by his daughter LeeAnn Crowley & her husband John of North Kingstown, RI; his brother, David R. Gray Jr. & his wife June of Cranston, RI and by his brother-in-law, Gerard Coppolelli also of Cranston, RI. He was the brother of the late Gavin Gray of Cincinnati, Ohio. He is also survived by extended family members including his step-daughter Rebecca Meyer (husband, Dean) of TN; his in-laws: Herbert & Betty Muffley of OH, Jimmie Muffley of VA, Richard & Martha Muffley, Linda & Allen Wayne and James Brinkman all of Plymouth.
Visitation and a Masonic Memorial Service were held on February 12 in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home in Plymouth. His funeral service was held on Saturday, February 13 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Plymouth.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 5, 2016 at 1:00 P.M. at Carpenter-Jenks Funeral Home & Crematory, 659 East Greenwich Avenue, West Warwick. Relatives and friends are invited and may attend calling hours immediately prior to the service from 12:00 – 1:00 P.M. A private interment service will be held in the Spring in Stephens Corner Cemetery, Rehoboth, MA where he will be buried with his first wife, Beverly.
Should family and friends desire, memorial donations may be made to: Plymouth-Kilwinning Lodge #149 Building Fund in Memory of Eugene Gray, PO Box 173, Plymouth, IN 46563. Remembrances may be shared online at carpenterjenks.com
