Charles Gray

Chuck Gray died Tuesday February 18, 2014 at Central Wyoming Hospice after a 2-½ year battle with throat cancer. He was born December 14, 1927 in Casper Wyoming, the son of Earl E. Gray and Alda (Barker) Gray.

Chuck was raised and educated in Casper attending Lincoln grade school, Dean Morgan Junior High and Natrona County High School. Chuck quit high school in 1944 joining the Navy where he served on the USS Tulogi from 1944 to 1946 being awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Medal, the American Area Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. He was very proud of returning as a veteran and graduating with the NCHS class of 1947. In 2010 Chuck was proud to travel to Washington DC as part of the Honor Flight with his son Tim. In 2003 he traveled on the USS Nimitz on a Tiger cruise from Pearl Harbor to San Diego with his son Dan and grandson Jimmy Gray. Chuck was a great patriot who loved flying his flag.

Chuck and Cecilia Doherty were married at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Casper August 22, 1949. They lived in Casper and raised their children there until retirement at which time they wintered in Yuma Arizona and summered in Casper.

Chuck worked for the Casper Fire Department from 1949 until his retirement in 1969. He then went to work at Little America Refinery until his retirement in 1985. Chuck & Cec still have a warehouse business with long time business partners and good friends Bill and Eileen McCarrel.

Chuck had many interests in his life, spending time with his children and grandchildren, weekly lunches with a group of retired firemen, fishing, hunting, boating, flint knapping were among his favorites. He enjoyed his 3-mile walks at Edness Kimball Wilking Park well into his eighties. At age 76 he climbed Laramie Peak with several of his walking buddies. Chuck and Cec enjoyed traveling in their motor home and cruises to tropical areas, but his favorite places were the Big Horn and Teton mountains in Wyoming.

Chuck was proud of his volunteer work on the Brail Trail and the Blind camp on Casper Mountain where we still have a family cabin. He was a member of St. Patrick's Church, Knights of Columbus, Gold member of the International Lions Club, Member of the Casper Mountain Lions Club, Life member of the Elks, and former 4-H leader and scout leader. Chuck was honored to have one of the dorms at The Blind Camp on Casper Mountain named in his honor.

Chuck is survived by his wife Cecilia, sons Dan (Suzanne) Bakersfield, CA, Tim (Susan) Casper, Daughter Donna Tempest (Rick) Casper. Grandchildren Jennifer, Jimmy, Donna, Lenny, Nicole, Rone , Patrick, Matt and Darcy along with their spouses and 13 great grandchildren, and sister Dorothy McCrimmon. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Julie Gray, Mary Doherty Rhoades, Brigid Doherty McIntosh, Patricia Doherty Cook, Emily Summers Doherty and 27 nieces and nephews. Chuck appreciated and looked forward to all of the visits he received from his extended family during his prolonged illness.

He was preceded in death by his parents, infant son Thomas, brothers Don and Guy.

The family appreciates contributions to Central Wyoming Hospice and Transitions or Meals on Wheels

The family of Chuck would like to thank the staff at Primrose Retirement Community, Dr. Voinov, Dr. Rosen, Dr. Purviance, Dr. Jim Anderson, Dr. Prodazick, the caring staffs at Rocky Mountain Oncology and Central Wyoming Hospice and Transitions, Debbie, Mel and Courtney.

A rosary Vigil will be held for Chuck at 4:00 Sunday February 23, 2014 in the chapel at Primrose Retirement Community. 1865 S. Beverly. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 Monday February 24, 2014 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church. Private internment will be at a later date.