James H. Gray

" A life lived well." James H. Gray, 77, of Brandywine Village, Renfrew, died at 5:50PM on Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at Butler Memorial Hospital. Born in Ford City, PA on November 28, 1929, he was the son of Homer and Dorothy (Warner) Gray. He was a member of Rider Lutheran Church in West Sunbury. He attended Punxsutawney High School. Jim retired after 35 years at Bessemer Lake Erie Railroad. He served in the U.S. Navy, acted as President of Unionville Fire Company for many years, and was a long standing member of Masonic Lodge #252, and the Consistory of New Castle. Jim, the "ultimate" Pirate fan, who in his younger years played baseball throughout Butler County and while in the Navy. He also played horseshoes in the Butler County horseshoe league and also enjoyed whittling, bluegrass music, gardening, and camping. His greatest pride throughout his life was his family. Surviving is his loving wife of 56 years, Mary C. (Eagal) Gray, who was his childhood sweetheart. Also, three daughters, Kathleen and her husband, Gene Danko, of Sewickley, Debbie and her husband, Bruce McCandless, of West Sunbury, and Tammie and her husband, Doug Brown, of Mechanicsburg. Two sons, James S. and his wife, Lisa of Butler, and Thomas and his wife, Patty of Butler. He is "Papa" to ten precious grandchildren who consider him a legend, Jeremy and his wife, Rachel, Lucas and Alisha, Nicole and her husband, Justin, Tyler, Jacob, Katie, Brian, David, Rachelle, and Lauren. His pride and joy were his four great grandchildren, Olivia, Eden, Jasper, and Everest. He is also survived by three brothers, John, Richard, and Howard Gray, and one sister, Dorothy "Sis" Welsch, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Thomas. Friends of James H. Gray, who died Tuesday, December 5, 2006, will be received from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Young Funeral Home, 127 W. Jefferson St., Butler. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Rider Lutheran Church, West Sunbury with pastors John Schneidmiller and Dennis Hindman officiating. Burial will be at Greenlawn Cemetery, Mt. Chestnut. Masonic services at the funeral home on Friday at 6:45PM. Memorial Donations may be made to Rider Lutheran Church, 189 Rider Church Rd., West Sunbury or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Pgh, PA. For more information, go to www.youngfuneralhomes.com.