GRAY, Jerry Clifton - b. October 6, 1938 - d. August 8, 2024

[patyrn]

Jerry Clifton Gray, age 85, of Eureka, Kansas, passed away on August 8, 2024.  He was born in Winfield, Kansas on October 6, 1938 to Mary Mildred (Antle) and Clarence Harold Gray.

Jerry grew up in the Grenola, Kansas area, living on a farm and attending Cloverdale Grade School, a one-room school southwest of Grenola.  Growing up, Jerry had the usual chores of milking cows along with raising some cattle and horses.  His favorite horse was called Buck. For a short time, his parents even owned a gas station where Jerry used to pump gas, take care of the money, and do small mechanic jobs.  As a young teenager, it was common to drive to Howard, Kansas to the picture show.  That is where he met the love of his life, Patsy Cale.  They were married July 15, 1955 at the Howard Methodist Church. To this union were born three children and a marriage that lasted a lifetime.

Jerry moved his family around before settling in the Longton, Kansas area.  Some of his first jobs were driving a truck for area entrepreneurs such as Everett Buchannan and Gerald Campbell.  Later he worked for Paul Mann, riding horses and looking after cattle.  His favorite part was gathering up the cattle so they could spray them to get rid of the flies. While working on the ranch gathering cattle one day, his horse slipped in the mud.  When the horse tried to regain his footing, the back leg of the horse shattered Jerry's leg.  After recovering, Jerry went to work for himself doing a little cattle and horse trading along with getting in the tree trimming
and yardwork business.  He was very good at tying any kind of chain or rope knot needed as well as identifying and felling trees.

Besides riding horses, Jerry enjoyed being with his family and doing things with his wife, Patsy as she participated in a Gospel group singing at different places.  Jerry accepted his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in 1974 at a revival in the Longton Baptist Church. After suffering a stroke, he and Patsy moved to Howard, Kansas for several years before moving to the Eureka Nursing center for the last couple of years. 

Jerry leaves behind his wife, Patsy; daughters, Diana (Harmon) Bliss, Connie Rogers, and Kelly (Doug) Hines; grandchildren, Clifton (Crystal) Bliss, Carmon (Brian) Younker, Candice (Tanner) McNich, Brandon (Raine) Rogers, Amanda (Tyler) Wilder, Sydney Hines, Sarah (Zac) Zarich, and Madi Hines; and 12 great-grandchildren.  Preceding him in death were his mother and father along with two brothers, Ross and Garland.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at Longton Cemetery in Longton, Kansas.  Visitation will be held on Monday, August 12, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Countryside Funeral Home in Howard, Kansas.  Memorials have been suggested to Longton Baptist Church and may be left with or mailed to Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349 which has been entrusted with arrangements.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)