James Fern Gray 1945 - 2017
MCELWAIN, GRAY, CLEMON
Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/23/2017 at 20:40:30
Onawa Democrat
13 December 2017James Fern Gray, 72, of Soldier, Iowa, died Monday, December 4, 2017, at his home surrounded by his family.
Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Saturday, December 9, 2017, at the Soldier Lutheran Church in Soldier, with Pastor Shari Schwedhelm officiating. Burial will follow in Spring Valley Cemetery near Moorhead, with Military Honors provided by the United States Navy, Aaby American Legion Post #442 of Ute, IA, and VFW Post #5605 of Ute, Iowa. Visitation will be 5:00 – 8:00 P.M. Friday, December 8, 2017, with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M., at the Soldier Lutheran Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Rush Family Care Service in Onawa.
James Fern was born on July 20, 1945, in Moorhead, Iowa, the son of Fern Everett and Erma Edna (McElwain) Gray. He graduated from East Monona High School.
He joined the United States Navy on May 31, 1963, and served until his honorable discharge on August 19, 1966. After his time in the military, he worked for Morton Buildings in Onawa, Iowa, and for Frito Lay in Missouri.
James and Patricia Clemon were united in marriage in 1966 and two daughters were born to this union, Rebecca and Kerri.
He enjoyed Harley Davidson motorcycles, woodworking, and entertaining on his deck. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and most recently with his great-grandson. He was a member of the American Legion, VFW, and the Soldier Lutheran Church.
Survivors include his daughters and their husbands, Rebecca (William) Gangestad of Soldier, IA and Kerri Gray (Chester) Davis of Castana, IA; four granddaughters, Molly (Bryan) Savery of Onawa, IA, Sara (Aaron) Folk of Manning, IA, Megan (Shane) Sorensen of Soldier, IA, and Jennifer Frank of Castana, IA; one great-grandson, Kysen Folk; one brother and his wife, Roger (Carol) Gray of Onawa, IA; two nieces, Tammy (Bob) Andrews and family of Beresford, SD and Trisha Thelander and family of Sergeant Bluff, IA; and one nephew, Jeff (Kim) Gray and family of Winterset, IA.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fern Everett and Erma Edna Gray, and one sister, Sharon (Gray) Farber.
Monona Obituaries maintained by Linda Ziemann.
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