Obituary for Eugene Gray Eugene Collins Gray, 88, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 30, 2018 at his home in Webster City, Iowa. Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Monday, July 9, 2018 at the Good Shepherd Church at 1100 Mary Lane, Webster City, Iowa. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.
Gene was born July 20, 1929 in Alliance, Nebraska to Opal Gray and grew up and was educated in Mullen, Nebraska. He married Lois Jean Crain on August 1, 1954 at Grace Church in Chadron, Nebraska. Both attended Chadron State College with Lois graduating in 1955 and Gene in 1956 with a B.A. in Elementary Education and English.
He received an M.A. in English Education from the University of Iowa in 1968 and did graduate work at Kansas State University and the University of West Florida. Gene taught four years in the rural schools of Cherry County, Nebraska and in the public schools at Seneca, Nebraska City, Alliance and Mullen. They moved to Armstrong, Iowa in 1959 where Gene taught five years in the high school.
During those five years at Armstrong they bought their first house in Ringsted, Iowa where Gene served as American Legion Commander. In 1964 they moved to Webster City where Gene taught two years in the junior high and then in 1966 he was hired to teach English by Iowa Central Community College in Webster City where he taught until he retired in 1991. Gene and Lois owned and operated Parlor Antiques from 1972 until Lois’ death in 1996.
Gene had a real love of woodworking and repaired and refinished pieces for the antique shop. He spent many hours in his woodworking shop enjoying working with the many woods and tools. He became quite an artist in his new interest.
He was a musician, playing guitar most of his life and collecting stringed instruments. He so enjoyed playing with his buddies down at the Depot on Friday nights in Webster City. Gene served in several local and state offices in education associations and professional organizations.
He was a permanent member of the NEA and ISEA. In 1977 he was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Webster City city council. He was elected to a full term on the council in 1979 and served many years on the city council and then several terms as Mayor of Webster City.
He served on the Hamilton County Temporary Land Preservation Policy Commission, as a member of the State Commission and on the Hamilton County Solid Waste Commission. He also served as Democratic Party Chairman in Hamilton County. He was on the Board of Directors of the North Central Iowa Area Agency on Aging and volunteered with Hamilton County Hospice.
Gene had also served in the U.S. Air Force in 1950 and 1951. He received many awards for his service to his community. Gene and Lois are survived by three children: Robyn, Roger and Dane; seven grandchildren: Aaron, Lily, Dan, Xanthe, Mayalisa, Calypso and Donovan and nine great-grandchildren, Katie, Lois, Nixon, Joel, Clare, Zara, Cordelia, Gwen and Aurora.
Also surviving is Johana Ngiruchelbad from Palau, whom Gene and Lois loved as a daughter. Inurnment will take place at the Alliance City Cemetery in Alliance, Nebraska. The family would like to thank everyone who helped Gene and his family during his illness, particularly Gateway Hospice and Life & Health Care.
Your service was invaluable to us. In lieu of flowers the family would encourage you to make a gift to the Church of the Good Shepherd or to your favorite charity in honor of Gene. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Eugene Gray please visit our Sympathy Store.
Previous Events Visitation , JUL 9. 12:00 PM Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd 1100 Mary Lane Webster City, IA, US, 50595 Service , JUL 9.
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