Charles Gerald (Jerry) Gray's Obituary
Charles Gerald (Jerry) Gray
5/13/1941 -4/20/2021
May 13, 1941, was a beautiful day in the home of Charles (Chick) and Marjorie Gray. A bouncing baby boy was born to them, welcomed by an older sister, Karen. And things would never be the same as this energetic and ever-curious little boy kept things hopping. Eventually, Marjorie would be on a first-name basis with the plumber as he was weekly called when Jerry had thrown whatever he could find, including his new shoes, into the toilet and flush it just to see them whirl around in the water. One time the keys to the car could not be found and it was not until several days later, his mother grabbed the umbrella that was hanging on the door as she rushed out into the rain, that the keys dropped out as she opened the umbrella. Enthusiasm for life and all things that could be taken apart only increased as he grew up.
At age 17 he enlisted in the Navy (he put his age as 18) and was stationed in Fallon, Nevada. After hitchhiking his way home for the weekend, his family that now consisted of an older sister, a younger sister, and two younger brothers, would drop him off at the old airport and he would begin his trip back to the base by hitchhiking his way.
Once he left the Navy he met and married his first wife Jeanne with whom he had his first son, Jerry Landon Gray. After his marriage to Jeanne ended in divorce, he married Susan Tanner and later divorced, together had Travis Ryan. He loved his sons and Susan's daughter Pamela whom he considered his daughter.
Jerry loved and owned many cars, including a really sweet Austin Healey.
The highlight of his life was the art of being a hairstylist. His mother was a hairdresser and so Jerry had been brought up with that profession but the artistry of it was fully offered to him with his introduction to Robert Steur. He and Robert have remained lifetime friends. His true passion was styling hair. He met some of his closest friends in the business from coworkers to clients.
Pongo, his pug was his life companion who brought him so much love and joy. Pongo also introduced him to the Puppy Lounge where the owner and staff treated Pongo and Jerry so special, they provided a place for Pongo to enjoy while Jerry worked, and Pongo would not be alone. For anyone who knew Jerry they knew just how special Pongo was to Jerry.
His family wishes to give a thank you to the many clients he had over the years and the loyal patronage they provided him. They would also like to thank Paula the owner of Refinery 33 Hair Salon for her graciousness and friendship and his coworkers whom he also enjoyed.
We would also like to say a very special Thank You to several clients who became like family to him.
Sue who was so special to him, they became very dear friends; she was also one of the only people who shared a passion for sports as he did. He couldn’t wait to see her every week. She also introduced him to her daughters his other lifelong friends Maryann and Elaine and they continued to be his dearest friends and treated him like family. James shared a special friendship with Jerry and was always there to make him laugh and make his days brighter. To Hank and Gayle, who also are very special and were very loyal clients and friends to him and shared in their passion for dogs.
The family would also like to thank the VA Hospital for their friendship and care they provided him. To his hospice nurses who he became very close to, and are incredible at their jobs.
Jerry is survived by his sons, Jerry Landon (Kim) and Travis Ryan Gray, step-daughter, Pamela Johnson, sisters Karen Matthews and Nancy Porter, brothers John Gray and James Gray, 8 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. Proceeded in death by his father and mother, Charles and Marjorie Gray.
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