Gray, Edward "Sam" William 1941-2011

GRAY, JOHNSTON, SUTTON, MORGAN, AKYEA, JEFFERSON, BANKS, STEWART

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 3/14/2017 at 14:51:44

Edward Gray
1941-2011
Des Moines

Edward “Sam” William Gray, beloved husband and father, made his transition from this world on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Edward was born February 17, 1941, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Leo Johnston and Laura Gray. Edward grew up on the south side of Chicago and was a member of Hyde Park High School’s class of 1959.

In 1965, Edward enlisted in the Armed Forces of the United States of America and served 3 years. His service in the Army would take him around the world and back with stops in Alaska and Vietnam. He was honorably discharged in 1968, and received numerous decorations including the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal and M-14 expertise.

After leaving the Army Edward returned to Chicago, where he studied and became a trained locksmith.

Edward met Bertha, his loving life partner in 1963. They married in 1968. Edward and Bertha lived in Chicago until 1979, when he accepted a job transfer to Des Moines, Iowa. While Edward continued to raise his family in Iowa where he settled, the family made regular trips back to his home of Chicago. Edward retired from Kwikset and worked as an independent consultant for several years after. He also rediscovered his love of poker.

Edward was known to family and friends as a symbol of self-determination and resilience. He was a hardworking man who had a thirst for knowledge. He continually educated himself, whether it be in politics, business, sport, or entertainment, and his capacity to learn and retain knowledge was as unparalleled as his beautiful smile.

Edward is survived by his wife Bertha; children, Larry Sutton, Berthetta Morgan, Stine Sutton, Tanya Sutton, and Stacey Gray Akyea (Ansa); grandchildren Issac, Larry Reggie, Bridgette, Larry, Johnathon, Tracey, Dena, Dana, Elliott, LaTanya, Stine, Jr., Anthony, Jr., Darmaile, Christopher, Tawanna Tanya, Jr., Senam, and Cashton, and many great-grandchildren; siblings, Kenneth (Roberta) Gray, Elsie Jefferson, Allen (Sharon) Johnston, and Theresa Banks; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Edward was preceded in death by his son Darvin Sutton, sister, Lena Stewart, grandson Thurman, and his parents.

Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m. Saturday, May 7, 2011, at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street. Burial with military rites will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com ~ The Hamilton Funeral Home, Des Moines, Iowa May 2011.