Jack H. Gray

Jack H. Gray, age 94 years, a resident of Vienna, passed away Friday, May 9, 2025, at 5:15 A.M. at the Oregon Living & Rehabilitation Center in Oregon, Illinois. Jack was born March 25, 1931 in Vienna. He was the only child born to Francis Verlin Gray and Mary Elizabeth (Evers) Gray. On August 4, 1951, Jack was united in marriage to Jacqueline “Jackie” Williams at the Vienna First United Methodist Church. She preceded him in death on May 9, 2003. Jack is survived by: 4 grandchildren – Jeremy (Kerry) Gray of Oregon, Illinois, Jonathan (Deanna) Gray of Longwood, Florida, Mathew (Devyn) Kerley of Ozark, Illinois; and Julia Gray of Vienna, Illinois; 6 great grandchildren – Samantha Gray, Jacqleen “Dani” Gray, Falisha Barter, Lydia Gray, Addison Gray, and Landon Gray; 2 great-great grandchildren – Ivy Rhys Gray & Wyatte Stanton; 6 step great grandchildren and 2 step great-great grandchildren; a daughter-in-law – LaDonna Gray of Carrier Mills, Illinois; a sister-in-law – Bess Ann (Sam) Duane of Tempe, Arizona; a brother-in-law – George Galeener of Vienna, Illinois; and a dear friend – Norma Turok of Vienna, Illinois. In addition to his parents and wife, Jack was preceded in death by his sons – Sam Gray, Mike Gray, and Tim Gray and a grandson – John Michael Gray. Jack was a 1949 graduate of Vienna High School. On November 18, 1951, Jack enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served during the Korean War and attained the rank of Sergeant prior to his honorable discharge on August 22, 1953. Jack also served in the Illinois National Guard. In his youth, Jack operated a delivery route for TipTop Cakes. He later worked as a welder at Caterpillar, Inc. in Decatur. In 1962, when the family returned to Southern Illinois, Jack began working for the Vienna Nursery. In 1967, he accepted a position with the U.S. Forest Service and was employed as a law enforcement officer until his retirement in 1994. Jack was very community minded. He had served as a volunteer member of the Vienna Fire Department. Jack had also served as a Boy Scout leader. Jack attended the Vienna First United Methodist Church. Jack was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and could often be seen mowing and tending to his lawn. Jack was an avid bicyclist and had a daily routine of riding 10 miles. He was also a faithful supporter of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. A celebration of the life of Jack Gray will be conducted Saturday morning, June 14, 2025, at 11 A.M. at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Pastor David Faulkner will officiate. Burial will be in the Vienna Fraternal Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded by the Beggs-Gurley VFW Post # 5222. The family will receive relatives and friends from 10 A.M. until the service hour at 11 A.M. Saturday, June 14, 2025, at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Serenity Hospice, 1658 South Illinois Route 2, Oregon, Illinois 61061 or to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 75817, Topeka, Kansas 66675.

Jack H. Gray

March 25, 1931 - May 9, 2025