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KENNETH W. GRAY

KENNETH W. GRAY

Kenneth W. Gray, age 79, of Kahoka, MO, formerly of Revere, died peacefully
Monday, February 6, 2012, surrounded by his family, at the Clark Co. Nursing
Home in Kahoka.

Kenneth was born July 2, 1932 in Gladstone, IL, a son of Virgil and Ruby Beebe
Gray.

His family
moved to the Revere area in 1941 and resided there until 1965 when they moved
to the farm in rural route Farmington, IA.

He was a 1950 graduate of Revere High School. He served in the U. S. Army
in December of 1952 and served until November of 1954.

On January 8, 1955 he was united in marriage to Ida Rosalie Gray. They
had celebrated their 57th anniversary last month.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Rosalie, of Kahoka, MO; two daughters,
Vickie Harness and her husband, Kent, of Mt. Sterling, IA and Tamara Smith and
her husband, Roger, of Keokuk, IA; three grandchildren: Daniel and Tanya
Harness of Farmington, IA, Lindy and John Harmon of Revere, MO, and Curtis
Smith of Johnston, IA; eight grandchildren: Taylor and Christopher Pilcher,
Ethan and Owen Harness, Kiersten and Kiernan Harmon, and Landon and Carter
Smith; two brothers, Gary (Sharon) Gray of Kahoka, MO and Gale (Donna) Gray of
Revere, MO; an uncle, Britten (Martha) Gray of Colchester, IL; as well as
nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Arnold “Pete” Gray.

In 1960, Kenneth graduated from the Worldwide College of Auctioneering at Mason
City, IA and “called” sales for various auctioneers through the years. He
was a former 4-H Leader and conducted many 4-H livestock auctions in his
life. For several years he was an over-the-road truck driver for KenRose,
Inc.

Kenneth was interested in preservation of many kinds. He was a farmer all
of his life and was a pioneer in soil conservation and received several awards
in that field. He promoted beef and cross-bred cattle before it was
popular and through photos, video and other media outlet preserved
history relating to that and other elements of his farm life. He was a
member and past president of the original Athens Park Board and instrumental in
its development prior to its designation as a state park.

Following his military duty, Kenneth was a Boy Scout Leader in Revere for
several years.

He was a
member of the Clark Co. Nursing Home Board at the time of planning and
construction of the current facility, former president of that board and was
called again in later years to serve again on the board. In September of
2010, he received an award and was honored and recognized as the last surviving
member of the original board.

Kenneth was a faithful member of the Peaksville Christian Church where he
served as Deacon and became a Elder Emeritus in 2003. His fellowship with
his Lord and Savior was a part of his life that was important to him and
sharing with his family and friends. He took a personal responsibility as
a caretaker of the earth and had made a hunting preserve on his farm.

He
particularly enjoyed watching the birds. He made beautiful furniture from
willow growing on the farm. As a place of peace for himself and family,
he created a circle of cottonwood trees representing various family members,
many of whom have passed on, with what he called “The Lord’s Tree” in the
center. Many family functions, including his grandson’s wedding, have
been held there. Today his grandson, Daniel, is the caretaker.

Funeral services celebrating his life were held Friday, February 10, 2012 at 10
a.m. at the Peaksville Christian Church, Peaksville, MO, with Pastor Shawn
McAfee and Pastor Herb Doty officiating. Mrs. Rhonda York was pianist and
Mrs. Jacque Mohr vocalist with special music “No One Ever Cared For Me Like
Jesus”. Additional selections were “Beyond The Sunset” recorded by Mel
Tillis and piano solo, “When The Saints Go Marching In”.

Honorary pallbearers were Paul and Barb Harrison, Vernon and Carol Edlen,
Charles and Anita Wehde, Boyd and Patty Woods, Ruth Sebben and Lois Harland.

Pallbearers were Dan Shoup, Chad Mohr, James Gray, Eric Gray, Scott Ensminger
and Ronnie Smith.

Burial with Military Rites was in the Revere Cemetery.

Visitation was held at Wilson Funeral Home in Kahoka after 3 p.m. Thursday with
family receiving friends from 6-8 p.m. Memorials were suggested to the
Peaksville Christian Church or the Clark Co. Nursing Home Relay For Life Team (
checks should be made to American Cancer Society).

On-line condolences may be expressed at www.timeformemory.com/wilsonfh.