Dr. Larry R. Gray's Obituary
Larry Gray
1930 – 2017
The Villages, FL
Dr. Lawrence R. Gray, 87, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 9, 2017 in The Villages, Florida of natural causes.
A Florida Celebration of Life will be Saturday, October 28 in The Villages, and an Iowa Celebration of Life will be Saturday, November 25 in the greater Des Moines area. Military honors and inurnment is scheduled for Monday, November 27, at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Adel, IA. (More details to follow.)
Larry was born to Lois Milligan and Lester Gray on January 26, 1930, in Rock Island, IL. He was a graduate of Aledo High School, graduated from Monmouth College where he played football, excelled in track, and was a member of the TKE fraternity. He was united in marriage to Martha O. Marquis of Des Moines in 1955. Larry graduated from the University of Illinois College of Medicine (now Rush Medical College) in Chicago in 1956, and he served in the U.S. Navy as a flight surgeon in Pensacola, FL and Corpus Christi, TX before settling in Ankeny.
In 1960, Dr. Gray joined a medical practice where he enjoyed a 35 year career as a family practice physician. He served as president of the Ankeny Community School Board for over a decade, was the building chair for the Ankeny United Methodist Church, and was elected to the Board of Directors at Iowa Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines. Larry was active in the Masons, as well as the Shriners, in Iowa and Florida -- for over 50 years.
Larry later re-married in 1992 to Connie Walter, and moved to The Villages where he enjoyed traveling and an active retirement. He is lovingly survived by Connie and his four children; Steve (Janet) Gray of Cary, NC, Drs. Laurie (Jeff) Barber of Little Rock, AR, Mark (Tammy) Gray of Ankeny, and Dave (Cathy) Gray of West Des Moines; and eleven grandchildren. Also surviving are Connie’s children; Dave (Julie) Walter of Johnston, IA, Cathy (Mark) Gasper of The Villages, FL, and Julie (Joe) Beloli of Taunton, MA; twelve grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind his best friend, and faithful canine Maltese, Buddy.
Grandpa loved his extended family, and frequently boasted about their accomplishments. As an only child, he was self-described as the “Last of the Mohicans”, and was proud of his lasting legacy. His memory will be honored in our hearts as we celebrate a life of overcoming tremendous obstacles, hard work, and sacrifice. He will be remembered for the many camping trips in the Winnebago “heifer”, family cook-outs at the lake home on Twin Lakes, and his profound patriotism. He will be deeply missed.
In lieu of flowers, Dad has asked for memorials to be gifted to the Shriners Hospitals for Children (2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607.)
Military Honors will be held later at Iowa Veterans Cemetery, Adel, Iowa.
Banks Page-Theus Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Wildwood, Fl.
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