Obituary for Lawrence Edgar Gray
Lawrence “Larry” Edgar Gray, 74, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 30, 2020 at Azpira Place Assisted Living Community in Kentwood, Michigan.
Larry, the last surviving of seven children, was born to Edgar and Marion Cuff-Gray on November 14, 1945, in Mount Hope, West Virginia. He graduated high school in Mount Hope and later joined the United States Air Force in 1964. Larry was stationed at Travis Air Force base in Fairfield, California and also at Fort Custer Air Force Station in Battle Creek, Michigan. He served in the Vietnam War and received an honorable discharge and was awarded various medals including the National Defense service medal, the Vietnam service medal, a Good Conduct medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign medal.
After serving his country, Larry was employed for a few years at General Motors Fisher Body in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He then began employment at Clark Equipment Company in Battle Creek, Michigan until 1985. Larry’s last working years were spent at the VA Medical Center in Battle Creek, Michigan where he retired in 2006.
Larry enjoyed hunting for deer and rabbits and was an avid fisherman. He also enjoyed watching sports. Larry had a green thumb and loved to plant fruits and vegetables in his garden. He was a wonderful cook and enjoyed showing off his skills on the grill and in the kitchen. He loved snapping his fingers and clapping his hands while singing and dancing to his favorite tunes on his 8-track tapes and albums.
Larry is survived by his lovely daughter, Stephanie (Curtis) Gray-Thomas, of Kentwood, Michigan; three grand-children, Michael, Jamari, and Maranda, all of Kentwood, Michigan; his sister-in-law, Carrie Gray of Temple Hills, Maryland; his brother-in-law, Oscar Alston, of Washington, DC; and several nieces and nephews in Maryland. Larry’s first marriage, to Constance Gray, and second marriage, to Grethel Inman, both ended in divorce.
A private burial will be at a later date at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan.
Arrangements by Baxter Funeral and Cremation Services.
Personal messages for the family and fond memories of Lawrence “Larry” may be placed at www.BaxterFuneral.com.
Larry, the last surviving of seven children, was born to Edgar and Marion Cuff-Gray on November 14, 1945, in Mount Hope, West Virginia. He graduated high school in Mount Hope and later joined the United States Air Force in 1964. Larry was stationed at Travis Air Force base in Fairfield, California and also at Fort Custer Air Force Station in Battle Creek, Michigan. He served in the Vietnam War and received an honorable discharge and was awarded various medals including the National Defense service medal, the Vietnam service medal, a Good Conduct medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign medal.
After serving his country, Larry was employed for a few years at General Motors Fisher Body in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He then began employment at Clark Equipment Company in Battle Creek, Michigan until 1985. Larry’s last working years were spent at the VA Medical Center in Battle Creek, Michigan where he retired in 2006.
Larry enjoyed hunting for deer and rabbits and was an avid fisherman. He also enjoyed watching sports. Larry had a green thumb and loved to plant fruits and vegetables in his garden. He was a wonderful cook and enjoyed showing off his skills on the grill and in the kitchen. He loved snapping his fingers and clapping his hands while singing and dancing to his favorite tunes on his 8-track tapes and albums.
Larry is survived by his lovely daughter, Stephanie (Curtis) Gray-Thomas, of Kentwood, Michigan; three grand-children, Michael, Jamari, and Maranda, all of Kentwood, Michigan; his sister-in-law, Carrie Gray of Temple Hills, Maryland; his brother-in-law, Oscar Alston, of Washington, DC; and several nieces and nephews in Maryland. Larry’s first marriage, to Constance Gray, and second marriage, to Grethel Inman, both ended in divorce.
A private burial will be at a later date at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan.
Arrangements by Baxter Funeral and Cremation Services.
Personal messages for the family and fond memories of Lawrence “Larry” may be placed at www.BaxterFuneral.com.