Funeral services for Gaylon Gray, 80, of Purcell will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 22, 2023 at the First Baptist Church in Purcell. Services will be under the direction of the Wilson-Little Funeral Home in Purcell.
Mr. Gray passed away Saturday, June 17, 2023.
James Gaylon Gray was born at home on the ranch March 24, 1943 in Maysville, Oklahoma, one of four children born to Eldridge Gray and Mona (Green) Gray. He was raised near Maysville and began school in the Arnold View Community.
He learned the value of hard work at a very young age. He graduated from Wayne High School with the Bulldog Class of 1961, and then attended Cameron University in Lawton where he earned an Associates Degree.
Gaylon married Nelda Moore in 1963 and from this union they had a daughter, Amy Gray. Gaylon answered the call of service to his country and joined the United States Army during Vietnam. He was stationed in Germany where he was a welder and drove heavy equipment. He and Nelda enjoyed two years there. After the service, he returned home to Oklahoma.
He worked as a welder for the Burford Corporation for a few years, but Gaylon’s heart was always on the farm. He genuinely loved tractor time, building fence and whatever needed to be done.
He married Joell (Hale) Spence on August 13, 1988 in Purcell. He was the proud father of his daughter Amy, and his granddaughters, Haley and Josie stole his heart. Gaylon was an avid reader and believed he could always learn anything. He read his Bible daily, loved History and anything to do with Agriculture.
He served with the McClain County Conservation District for more than 32 years, and appreciated the relationships he built with people during this time.
He was a man of great faith and longtime member of Purcell First Baptist Church. He was a wonderful husband and father, grandfather, uncle and a true friend. He will be dearly missed!
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Mona Gray; siblings, J.W. Gray and wife, Mildred, Bob Gray and wife, Wanda, Vivian Cagle and husband, John, and daughter-in-law, Pepper Spence.
He was survived by his loving wife, Joell Gray of the home; daughter, Amy Gray and John Mercer of Purcell; his pride and joy, granddaughters, Haley and Josie; stepson, Les Spence of Purcell; several nieces and nephews and a host of other family and friends.
Online condolences may be made at www.wilsonlittle.com.
