Ira Zane Gray's Obituary
Ira Zane Gray, 93, of Alpine passed away peacefully on April 29, 2014. He was born June 13, 1920 in New York City to Franklin Clyde Gray and Ida Mae Smith Gray. When he was four months old his family moved to Los Angeles, California where Zane grew up. Zane married Jane Adams on September 1, 1940 and they were sealed in the Los Angeles LDS Temple on February 14, 1959. They had a daughter, Marilyn Jane, and a son, Donald Zane. Zane and Jane lived in Fullerton, California for 26 years and in 1981 they retired to Alpine, Utah. During WWII Zane served in the Navy and received commendation as the honor man of company 1238, and is a ‘plank owner’ of the aircraft carrier USS Franklin D. Roosevelt, since he was a member of the original crew. For 36 years he worked for North American Aviation starting as a machinist and then worked his way up to an engineer where he designed parts for the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo space capsules. Family and friends enjoyed listening to him play by ear the popular tunes of the 1930’s thru 1960’s on the piano and organ. He is survived by his children, Marilyn Eggertsen and Don Gray (Yvonne); seven grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, a sister, and his wife, Jane. A family graveside service and dedication of the grave will be held at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.
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