OBITUARY: Ralph O'Neal Gray
Ralph O'Neal Gray went to be with his Lord on Monday, Aug. 12, 2013.
A 60-year resident of Eldorado, he was born July 11, 1928, in Walpole, to Shannon O'Neal Gray and Julia Ann Davis Gray.
Mr. Gray was married on Oct. 4, 1952, in Galatia, to Joan Ryan Gray, who survives.
Mr. Gray is also survived by one son, Dr. Ryan (Danica) Gray, one daughter, Anita (Ed) Nenonen, both of Eldorado. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Haleen Gray Oldham in 2007. He is survived by one brother, William Henry (Fuss) Gray of Dale and 10 grandchildren Dr. Nathan (Betsy) Oldham, Noah (Heather) Oldham, and Dr. Nick (Terrah) Oldham; Matthew (Carrie) Nenonen and Chris (Ashley) Nenonen, Rachel (Dr. Bric) Steward, Rebekah (Andrew) Thorpe; Reagan, Rylee Kate, and Reece Gray; 12 great-grandchildren, Hallie Kate, Nolan, Liam, Dathan, Allie, Chaim, Piper and Elle Oldham, Hannah, Braden and Lucy Nenonen and Quincy Steward, his son-in-law Roy Oldham, his brother in law, Ivan (Diane) Ryan, his sisters in law, Rita (Larry) Hampton and JoAnn Gray, and many special nieces and nephews.
Also preceding him in death were his parents, and three siblings; Fern (Jerry) Prince, Lois (Gene) Craddock and Robert (JoAnn) Gray, all of Hamilton County.
Mr. Gray graduated from McLeansboro Township High School and SIUC. After serving in the U.S. Army, he taught school, ending his career in the Eldorado Unit No. 4 School System in 1986 after 38 years in the classroom. He was the first to coach basketball, baseball and track at Washington/Eldorado Junior High. His first basketball team was Oct. 25, 1954.
He served as official basketball scorekeeper for Eldorado Junior and Senior High Schools for 17 years.
He was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and Illinois Fighting Illini. After his retirement from the classroom, Mr. Gray was known for his gardens of beautiful vegetables and flowers.
He was converted at age 15 at Hebron Cumberland Presbyterian Church where he later served as an elder, adult Sunday school teacher, and song leader as well as trustee of Hebron Cemetery Perpetual Fund.
Mr. Gray leaves a legacy of love for his family and his God, as well as an example of a man of Christian character.
Visitation will be 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2013, at Little Chapel Church, north of Harrisburg. Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 15 at the church. Burial will be at Hebron Church in Walpole.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Haleen Gray Oldham/Ralph Gray Scholarship Fund.
Donations may be left at Little Chapel Church.
On-line condolences may be sent to the family at watsonfuneralhome.net.