Gray, Howard W.

Howard W. Gray, 91, Green Bay, passed away on Friday, May 18, 2012. He was born on December 30, 1920 in Escanaba, Michigan to the late George and Christina (Ahlin) Gray. He married Delores M. Popke on April 26, 1947 in New London, Wisconsin. Howard served his country in the Army from 1942-1946 as a SGT in L Co., 362nd Infantry, 91st Division in the Italian Theater during World War II. Howard received a Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster as well as two bronze battle stars. Howard attended Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan and graduated with a Mechanical Engineering Degree in 1952. He was employed with the Saginaw Steering Gear Company in Saginaw, Michigan and Kimberly Clark Paper Company in Neenah. Howard retired in 1991 from the Fort Howard Paper Company as a Maintenance Design Engineer after 28 years of employment. He was a life member of the EAA and NRA. He was also a member of the Washington Lodge #21, F & AM; Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite-Valley of Green Bay; the Beja Shrine Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S. and the Appleton Fidelity Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star #94. Howard’s hobbies over the years included deer hunting, shooting, flying, scuba diving, photography, reading and landscaping. He especially enjoyed deer hunting at his “camp” in the “U.P.” for 60 plus years with his longtime friend, Roy Margenau of Grass Lake, Michigan. Surviving are his loving wife of 65 years, Delores; two sons, William J. (Wendeo) Gray, Lake Forest, Illinois and their son, Jeffry Howard Gray and special friend, Michele; Leslie H. (Kay) Gray, Marion, Wisconsin and their children, Andrew (Brenda Natzke) Gray, Patrick and special friend, Kelsey, and Christina Gray; a sister, Alice M. Kroegel, Deerfield, Illinois. He is further survived by other relatives and dear friends. Visitation was held at Lyndahl Funeral Home, 1350 Lombardi Avenue, on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 from 11:00 am until the funeral service at 1:00 pm with Rev. Janice Kuder officiating. Military Honors followed. Entombment will be in Shrine of the Good Shepherd Mausoleum. Online condolences may be expressed at www.lyndahl.com. A memorial fund has been established in Howard’s name. A special thank you to the doctors and staff of the Aurora BayCare/Vince Lombardi Oncology Unit and IV Unit, Aurora VNA Hospice and Chaplains for their care and concern. Thank you also to the neighbors and dear friends who helped Howard’s family over the years.