John P. Gray

John "Jack" P. Gray, 92, of Grand Forks, ND died Sunday, December 26, 2010 in Valley Eldercare Center, Medical Park. John Pershing Gray was born on September 1, 1918 in Rock Lake, ND. His unfailing assertion that Rock Lake was the "Cradle of Civilization" was verification of how much he valued his childhood there. He was the son of Herbert and Stella (Balfour) Gray. His sister, Kathryn Hoyme, and brother, James Gray, preceded him in death. His youngest brother, Robert Gray, resides in Lewistown, MT, with his wife Margaret. Jack is survived by his wife of 72 years, Ellen Wood Gray; three daughters; Linda Lee Flom of Grand Forks; Patricia Basye of Sioux City, IA; and Susan Caton of Missoula, MT; nine grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Jack was a WWII Navy veteran. He served on the USS Rocky Mount as Paymaster after graduating from Harvard Business School. He was a salesman for Nash Finch Company and was the owner of the South Washington Dairy Queen from 1954 to 1961. During that time he added a degree in Education from UND to his 1940 degree in Commerce. Jack taught at Schroeder Junior High School for many years. Jack and Ellen are among the most ardent UND Sioux fans. They held season tickets for hockey, football and basketball for many years, and were given the Sioux Award in 2003. They were honored as game captains for the September 17, 2005 football game. Jack and Ellen have known each other since childhood. They were married during halftime at the 1938 homecoming game, after walking to East Grand Forks where they could be married without waiting. Jack loved Grand Forks and kept close watch on all new construction. He was a past member of Sertoma, Chamber of Commerce, and Altru Hospital Auxiliary. He was also a member of UND's President's Club and was a UND benefactor. He was a long time member of Wesley United Methodist Church. Before Jack was a resident there, he often drove his beloved Dodge Dart to Valley Eldercare to visit with acquaintances about the Sioux or what was happening in Grand Forks. MEMORIAL SERVICES will be Thursday, December 30, 2010 at 11:00 AM in Wesley United Methodist Church, 1600 4th Ave. North, Grand Forks. Visitation will be one hour before the service in the church. *********Memorials will be given to the UND Scholarship Fund.**********