Henry E. Gray

Henry E. Gray, 90, a long time Midland resident passed away on Friday, December 04, 2009 at his home surrounded by family. He was born December 2, 1919, the son of Walter and Esther (Bollinger) Gray, in Zalma, MO. A year later they moved to a farm in Sturdivant, MO. He attended South East Missouri State Teachers College and the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, majoring in Entomology. From 1943 to 1945 he interrupted his college education to enlist in the US Navy serving as Lt. defending our freedoms aboard the two masted schooner USS ZACA, the sub chaser USS Walter S. Brown, and the Underwater Demolition Forces flagship USS Blessman.
Returning from Japan, Henry reentered college, earning a Masters degree from the University of Missouri. It was there that he met Kathryn Garst. They were married on February 23, 1947, at the Methodist Church in Marshfield, MO. Their honeymoon was to California where he accepted a position of Biological Science instructor at California State Polytechnic College in San Luis Obispo, CA. In 1950, they moved to Urban, IL, where he was a graduate assistant in the Department of Entomology at the University of Illinois and received his PhD. He was an Entomologist with the Niagara Chemical at Middleport, NY, for a year before joining the Dow Chemical Co. as a Field Agriculturalist located in Washington, DC. They moved to Midland in July 1957.

Dr. Gray enjoyed a long career with the Dow Chemical Company, traveling extensively domestically and overseas in his various positions with the Agricultural Department. Retiring in 1982 he said "who could ask for more than working with the best chemical company and associates in the world". At home, he was a devoted and loving husband and father. Married to Kathryn (Garst) for 62 wonderful years, they spent their retirement years traveling and cruising the globe and visiting family and friends. He was an inspiration to so many for his kindness and generosity. Dr. Gray was actively involved with the Lions Club for 45 years and the First United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Entomological Society of America and in 1982 he was President of the North Central Branch of the Entomological Society of America.

He is survived by his wife, Kathryn; his daughter, Carolann (James) Thigpen; his son, Richard (Colleen) Gray. He is also survived by their very special grandson, Lt. Darby Richard (Jaime) Gray, who spent part of 14 summers with his grandparents and considers Midland his second home. He is also survived by step-grandchildren who lovingly call them Papa and Mama Gray. They are Ronald (Kristen) Thigpen, Mark Thigpen, Lisa (Douglas) Heick, and Shane (Staci) Bonnin. Also much love is given to the great grandchildren, Kira and Emma Kathryn Gray, Natalie and Abbey Thigpen, Seth Thigpen, Amy and Robert Heick, Blake, Bryce, Brady and Brett Bonnin. In addition to his parents, Henry was predeceased by an infant brother and a sister, Emigean (Fred) Thomas.

Arrangements are with the Wilson MILLER Funeral Home for cremation with the burial of ashes in the Rose Garden of the First United Methodist Church. There will be a memorial service at a later date. Memorial gifts may be offered to the Michigan Eye-Bank, 4889 Venture Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48108; to the University of Michigan, Ophthalmology Dept. for research, or the Library of Michigan, Service for the Blind, 402 West Kalamazoo St., Lansing, MI 48909.
Personal messages of support may be left for the family at www.wilson-miller.com