Obituary of Milton McKinley Gray

Milton McKinley "Piddly" Gray Funeral services for Milton McKinley "Piddly" Gray of Elsberry, MO will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 15, 2010 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry. Rev. Richard Pillers of Elsberry Assembly of God Church, will officiate with burial in Asbury Cemetery near Foley, MO. Serving as pallbearers will be John Simmons, Leon Pritchett, Danny Reed, Roger Morris, Marshall Suddarth, and Bob Stone. Serving as an honorary pallbearer will be Lloyd Grishong. Mr. Gray, 91, died Tuesday morning, January 12, 2010 at Troy Manor in Troy, MO. Born February 3, 1918 in Elsberry, he was the son of Arthur Francis and Myrtle Mitchell Gray. He was a lifelong resident of Elsberry. As a young man, he worked at Wells Lamont glove factory in Elsberry, and later as a powder packer for the TNT Plant in Weldon Springs, MO. He was united in marriage on June 29, 1940 in Elsberry to Osie Mae Lavy. This union was blessed with one son, Rodney Lee. He served his country in the United States Army in the European Theatre from September 15, 1943, until he was honorably discharged on November 7, 1945. During his service he was awarded three Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart. After returning home, he again worked at Wells Lamont in Elsberry, then for McDonnell Douglas in St. Louis until he paid off his farm. Along with tending his own farm, he was always willing to lend a helping hand to neighbors. After 31 years of marriage, his beloved Osie passed away August 13, 1971. Mr. Gray was married again on September 14, 1972 to Mildred Becker. Milton and Mildred were some of the first residents of the Elsberry Senior Housing. He was a member of the American Legion Post #226 and the VFW Post 9064 in Elsberry. He was also a member of the Asbury United Methodist Church near Foley. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Myrtle Gray; his wife, Osie Gray in 1971; his wife of 26 years, Mildred Gray on April 19, 1998; three brothers: Olen, Frank, and William Gray; and five sisters: Nellie Reed, Mary Ligon, Ina Bennear, Frances Crenshaw and Kathryn Parker. Survivors include his son, Rodney Gray of Birchwood, WI; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Visitation will be held from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 15, 2010 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 107 South Fifth Street, Elsberry, MO 63343. Online condolences may be made at www.carterricksfuneralhome.com.