Earl Wilford "E.W." Gray's Obituary
E.W. was born in Etowah, Tennessee on July 26, 1923 and went to be in the loving arms of the Lord on October 2, 2010 at the age of 87, preceded in death by his loving wife, Roine Chance Gray, and his mother and father, Flora Pearl Gray and John Walter Gray. He is survived by a daughter, Claudia Lessin of Houston, Texas, one step-daughter Patricia Stowe of Tennessee, one step-son, William Ray Bruce of Houston, Texas, one grandson, Shawn Miles, two great grandchildren, Dylan and Logan Miles, one sister, Gayle Shelley and husband Ken Shelley of Wharton, Texas, and three brothers, Michael Gray of Wharton, Texas, Patrick Gray of DeSota, Missouri, and John Gray of Dangerfield, Texas. He is also survived by his constant loving companion, Suzanne Hamrick and family members, Joel Shinall, Sharon Horton, Rebecca Lehmann, Curtis Lehmann, Christine Lehmann, Michael Wylie, Alexis Wylie, and Marcus Obledo. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and precious friends. E.W. was the best friend anyone could ever have. He was a God Loving Christian gentleman who loved and respected his friends and family. E.W. served in the United States Navy C.B.'s 11th Special Battalion in World War II and was stationed in the Pacific and received many honors. He had served as a Harris County Deputy Sheriff in the Patrol and Jail divisions under Sheriff Buster Kern and Sheriff Jack Heard. He retired from the Port of Houston Authority in Houston, Texas where he worked as a hoisting engineer. He was a dual member of the Galena Park #1290 and Park Place #1172 Masonic Lodges. He was a member of the Scottish Rite Masons and York Rite Masons. He was a Past Worthy Patron twice for the Frank W. Lynn Eastern Star Chapter #1015, a member of the Arabia Shrine Center where he served in the Greeters and Provost Guard units and the Provost Guard Pistol Team. He was also a member of the VFW Post #8566 and the American Legion. E.W. was such a loving, kind, and giving person who will always be remembered by his beautiful smile, funny remarks and antics. He brought fun and laughter into everything he did. E.W. never met a stranger and he became a true friend to everyone. E.W. will also be remembered for the thousands of hours that he so diligently and dependably volunteered to the Shrine Hospitals, Arabia Shrine Center, Eastern Star, Rainbow Girls, and the Masonic Lodges. The world became a better place to have had such a generous, kind, and loving person. We are all blessed and honored to have shared our lives with him. Our lives were enriched by his great intelligence and knowledge. There always will be an empty place in our hearts as we grieve for this wonderful precious man and cannot wait until we can meet him in Heaven. You are gone from our sight but not from our hearts. We love you. Any donations in lieu of flowers are requested to be sent to the Shrine Hospitals.
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