Obituaries

Charles Gray (69)

Charles "Charlie" Andrew Gray (69) was born on June 2, 1946 in Madera, California to John and Ruby Gray. Charles attended local schools and graduated from Madera High School in 1965. He joined the Army soon after graduation.

He was deployed to Vietnam in 1966 after completing parachute training in Fort Benning, Georgia. In 1967 he returned to the United States where he finished his military obligation in Fort Bragg, North Carolina with the 82nd Airborne Division.

Charles was a member of the VFW Post 1981 and he was proud and privileged to have served his country. After returning home Charles went to work for Baltimore Aircoil Company where he worked for the next 35 years.

Charles died on February 20, 2016 surrounded by his loving family after a long and courageous 12 year battle with ALS. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother James Gray. Charles is survived by his loving wife of 48 years Victoria Gray; his sons and their wives, Charles Anthony and Raquel Gray and Richard Timothy and Brenda Gray; four grandchildren, Caylin, Sadie, Charles II and Jonathan Gray. Also surviving Charles are his siblings and their spouses, Johnny and Margaret Gray, Mary Gray, Jeannie Hunter and Art Cabada Jr., George and Diana Gray and Betty and Keith Norman, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Angeline Home Care, especially Hector Flores, Rosemary Salinas and Caylin Gray and the staff of Nancy Hinds Hospice for their loving and compassionate care of Charles.

Charles said he thanked God for giving him a wonderful life with a loving wife, two great sons, two wonderful daughters-in-law and four beautiful grandchildren. Life was good!

Viewing will be on Wednesday, February 24, 2016 starting at 2:00 pm with a Vigil service starting at 7:00 pm at Jay Chapel. Funeral Mass will be on Thursday, February 25, 2016 at 11:00 am at St. Joachim Catholic Church in Madera with internment immediately following at Calvary Cemetery.

Donations in Charles' memory can be made to the St. Joachim Catholic Church Holy Family Table Fund, 401 West 5th Street, Madera, CA 93637 or the ALS Association, Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 6051, Albert Lea, MN 56007.