GRAY, James 1926 - 1979
GRAY, PURDIE, LYONS, COX, BREWER, WHITE, SMITH
Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 11/23/2023 at 16:21:19
"The Fairfield Ledger"
Monday, May 14, 1979
Front Page, Columns 4, 5, and 6Man believed drowned
By Bill BakerJefferson County officers continued dragging operations on Skunk River in northeast Jefferson County today in search of the body of James GRAY, 52, Fairfield, who apparently drowned early Sunday morning.
Authorities said GRAY fell into the river while fishing with two of his sons about 2 a.m. and disappeared.
The apparent drowning took place at MacCoon Landing, a public access to Skunk River located north of Lockridge in Lockridge Township.
It is a popular camping site, especially for fishermen, during summer months.
Rescue squads from three counties spent the entire day Sunday using drags and grappling hooks in an effort to locate the body. Bill Angstead, sheriff of Jefferson County, is in charge of operations.
In addition to personnel from the Jefferson County sheriff's department, others who took part in the search Sunday included members of the Jefferson County Posse and Police Reserve and off-duty police officers, and Lowell Joslin, Conservation officer.
There were also rescue squads from Washington and Henry Counties, in addition to two scuba divers from Mount Pleasant.
Officers said search operations were hampered by high water and a swift current. GRAY toppled into the river at a point where it is approximately 10 feet deep. Grappling operations Sunday morning took place along the bank a short distance from where he fell in among a tangle of tree roots.
Searchers used long hooks from along the steep river bank while four boats and their occupants maneuvered back and forth and up and down the river using hooks and dragging lines.
Witnesses told officers GRAY and his two sons were fishing. They said GRAY got up from his chair near a bonfire, lost his balance and fell into the river.
A number of weekend campers and fishermen at the campsite were roused and they immediately put boats in the water in search of GRAY. One went to a nearby farm and notified the Jefferson County Law Center. The call was received at 2:15 a.m.
Officers were still at the scene shortly before noon today searching for the body.
The GRAY family home is located at 501 W. Merrill.
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"The Fairfield Ledger"
Tuesday, May 15, 1979
Front Page, Column 4Officers still dragging river
Law enforcement officials resumed their search on Skunk River today for the body of James GRAY, Fairfield, who drowned early Sunday morning while fishing with his two sons.
Those at the scene today include officers from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department, State Conservation officers and members of the Jefferson County Posse.
Operations Monday moved downstream approximately 300 yards from the point where GRAY fell into the river.
Today officers were working on downstream probing brush piles and dragging the river.
GRAY fell into the stream at MacCoon Landing, a public access to Skunk River north of Lockridge about 2 a.m. Sunday. County officers were notified at 2:15 a.m. Sunday and spent both Sunday and Monday on the river searching for GRAY. They were assisted by rescue squads from Washington and Henry Counties.
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"The Fairfield Ledger"
Wednesday, May 16, 1979
Front Page, Column 2Search for body goes on
Jefferson County officers were back on the river today searching for the body of James GRAY, 52, Fairfield, who presumably drowned while fishing in Skunk River early Sunday morning.
The search began shortly after GRAY fell into the river and has continued during daylight hours since.
The apparent drowning took place at MacCoon Landing, a public access to Skunk River about four miles north of Lockridge.
Reports said GRAY was accompanied by two of his sons when the accident took place. He had been seated in a lawn chair close to the bank and when he got up he slipped over the steep bank into approximately 10 feet of water.
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"The Fairfield (Ia.) Ledger"
Thursday, May 17, 1979
Page 8, Column 5Search still fruitless
Jefferson County and State Conservation Officers today continued checking the Skunk River in their search for a possible drowning victim.
The victim is James GRAY, 52, Fairfield, who fell into the river early Sunday moring while fishing at MacCoon Landing, a public access to Skunk River in northeast Jefferson County.
Officers checked the river Wednesday from the point where GRAY fell into the river all the way to Oakland Mills in Henry County, a distance of approximately 15 river miles.
Officers have continued the search during daylight hours since the apparent drowning Sunday morning.
The family home is at 501 W. Merrill in Fairfield.
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"The Fairfield Ledger"
Saturday, May 19, 1979
Front Page, Columns 2, 3, and 4Officers recover body
A five and one-half day search for the body of James GRAY on Skunk River came to a halt Friday afternoon when the body was discovered lodged in a tree in the river.
The location was approximately three-fourths of a mile down stream from where GRAY fell into the stream about 2:15 a.m. May 13.
Officers said the body was discovered by two fishermen, Richard Thomas and Loren Garretson, both of Fairfield. Officers later used Thomas's boat to remove the body from the river.
The report that the body had been found was received at the Jefferson County Law Center at 2:57 p.m. Those taking part in the recovery include Roy Eubanks, state trooper; Darrell Hulen, city police officer; Lowell Joslin and Les Nieland, state conservation officers; Weston Behner, funeral director, and Thomas.
Les Nieland, of the Montrose Water Patrol Station at Montrose, will file an official report on the drowning with the State Conservation Commission.
The tragic accident took place about 2:15 a.m. Sunday when GRAY fell into the river while fishing at MacCoon Landing approximately 17 miles north of Fairfield on Skunk River.
Since the drowning was reported Sunday morning, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department had continued a day-long search each day for the body. The search had extended as far downstream as Oakland Mills during the past two days as boats and searchers patrolled the river.
Officers said the recovery point was at a location where a tree had toppled into the river some time ago and had partially leafed out. The body was found lodged among the branches.
Services for James GRAY, Sr., 52, will be Monday at 2 p.m. at the Weston Behner Funeral Home with the Rev. Keith Lingwall officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery.
Members of the family will receive friends at the funeral home Sunday night from 7 to 8 p.m.
James GRAY, Sr., was born June 27, 1926, in Jefferson County, the son of Clinton and Jessie PURDIE GRAY.
His marriage to Betty J. LYONS took place Jan. 28, 1945. She survives.
GRAY had been employed at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant at Burlington for the past 12 years as a production worker.
In addition to his widow GRAY is survived by 10 children: Jeanette COX, Douds; Diane BREWER, Corpus Christi, Texas; Randall, Lake Dallas, Texas; Mary WHITE, Chicago; Jack GRAY, San Francisco, Calif.
Also James Jr., Fairfield; Robert, Bettendorf; Tam, Clint and Sue, all at home.
He is also survived by eight grandchildren; his mother, Jessie GRAY, Fairfield; one sister, Betty SMITH, Douds; and a brother, Walter GRAY, Fairfield.
He was preceded in death by his father and one brother.
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"The Fairfield (Ia.) Ledger"
Tuesday, May 22, 1979
Page 2, Columns 7 and 8The Family of James GRAY would like to express their deep appreciation and gratitude to the conservation officers, law enforcement officials, and the many volunteers who unselfishly devoted many hours of their time to the recovery of our loved one. As we are unable to thank each of you personally, your concern and efforts will never be forgotten.
Betty GRAY and Family
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"The Fairfield Ledger"
Thursday, May 24, 1979
Page 9, Column 8CARD OF THANKS
Words cannot express our thanks to family, friends and neighbors for their many ways of helping in our time of sorrow. The long wait was shortened by the many calls, prayers, the abundance of food, flowers, donations and many other ways that showed you cared. Bless all of you--
Betty GRAY
Jeanette, Diane, Randy, Mary, Jack, Jim Jr., Bob, Tamie, Clint and Sue.
Jessie GRAY
Mr. and Mrs. Walter GRAY
Mr. and Mrs. Murl SMITH~~~~
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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.Note: Buried in Lot 4th.057. Wife Betty died in 2016 and was buried with him.
Jefferson Obituaries maintained by Joey Stark.
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