Richard Gray

Richard Gray, 78 of Mt. Pleasant, IA, died Thursday, January 12, 2012, of a stroke following a lengthy battle with leukemia at the Henry County Health Center. Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, January 15th at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel where the family will receive friends. Inurnment will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, January 16th at the Forest Home Cemetery followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. at St. Michael's Episcopal Church with the Reverend Mary Christopher officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Henry County Health Center Infusion Therapy, St. Michael's Episcopal Church or the Mt. Pleasant Moose Lodge. On-line condolences may be directed to www.olsonpowell.com. The son of Orie Albert and Della Viola (Kirkpatrick) Gray, Richard William was born on June 21, 1933 in rural Henry County, IA. He was a graduate of Salem High School. On May 1, 1955 he married Joyce Olive White in Salem, IA. She preceded him in death on October 4, 1972. On June 9, 1973 he married Carol Ann Barron in Mt. Pleasant. She preceded him in death on April 10, 2004. Richard worked as a Henry County Deputy Sheriff. He later worked as a heavy equipment operator at Kinney and Sons Excavating and the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant. He also ran heavy equipment while living in Phoenix, AZ. Richard served in the Iowa National Guard. In his early years he enjoyed being outdoors, hunting, fishing, and boating. He was a member of St. Michael's Episcopal Church and the Mt. Pleasant Moose Lodge #1003. Survivors include a son, Steve (Sue) Gray, of Mt. Pleasant; two daughters, Barbara (Brian) Leslie of Mt. Pleasant and Tamara (Robert) Becker of Phoenix, AZ; three adopted daughters, Kim Kruse of Ft. Madison, IA, Kelly (Rick) Barton and Kris (Rick) Jeffrey all of Mt. Pleasant; twelve grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; two sisters, Lana (Keith) Zihlman and Peggy (Randy) Dodds all of Mt. Pleasant; and a sister-in-law, Donna Gray of Mt. Pleasant. He is preceded in death by his parents, both wives, and three brothers, Larry, Bruce and Brian Gray.