Donald Earl Gray, Jr.
December 6, 1953 — September 21, 2016
Donald Earl Gray, Jr. was born the son of Alice Joy Rupert and Donald Gray, Sr. on December 6, 1953 in Charleston, South Carolina. He was baptized by Pastor Strand in 1990 at his swimming pool in Plymouth, Minnesota. Don’s dad was in the Navy when he was born and he attended many different schools in various states including Washington, DC; Kwajalein, West Virginia; Florida and Minnesota. He attended Rosemount High in Rosemount, Minnesota.
Don’s childhood was interesting with all the military moves. His favorite place when growing up was Kwajalein, West Virginia because of the amount of freedom he had. He played many sports as a child. One year he went to baseball camp with Major Leaguer Joe Medwick, also known as “Ducky”. Right after high school he tried out for the Minnesota Twins.
On July 26, 1974, Don married his high school sweetheart, Kim Ellison at Brunswick United Methodist Church in Crystal, Minnesota. Don and Kim lived in Minnesota raising their family of two daughters: Cheryl and Valerie. In 1992, the family moved to Florida where they made a lot of friends and enjoyed the weather. In 1997, Don and Kim moved to Oklahoma.
Don enjoyed being a Computer Developer/Programmer for all of his life. He was one of the original founders of Symplex Software Systems in Minnetonka, Minnesota. He was the Vice President of Research and Development from 1984-1994. In November 2001, Don accepted a position at Balon Corporation in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and continued working until he retired in March, 2016. Don was a gifted programmer and played a large role in growing Balon from 300 employees to over 1,000 employees and expanding its footprint from 265,000 square feet to 1.4 million square feet. He had a great job working with great people that will deeply miss him.
In his free time, Don was a true family man spending quality time with family and his dog Barney. He also enjoyed golfing, fishing, and watching Oklahoma Sooner football games. Don was an avid bowler for many years earning him two-300 games and was awarded a 300 watch and ring.
Don died on September 21, 2016 having attained the age of 62 years, 9 months, 15 days. He is preceded in death by his mother.
He is survived by his wife Kim Gray of Norman, Oklahoma, daughters Cheryl and her husband Kurt Lyon of New Port Richey, Florida and Valerie and her husband Josh Schave of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota; grandchildren Drake Lyon, Brianna Lyon, Sage Buckingham, Abby Schave, Jack Schave and Eli Schave; father Donald Gray, Sr. and his wife Joan of Navarre, Ohio; brother Alan Gray of Candler, North Carolina; and sisters Laura Coulter of Shoshoni, Wyoming and Sybil Hoffon of Fort White, Florida; nieces and nephews; and many friends.
Don’s childhood was interesting with all the military moves. His favorite place when growing up was Kwajalein, West Virginia because of the amount of freedom he had. He played many sports as a child. One year he went to baseball camp with Major Leaguer Joe Medwick, also known as “Ducky”. Right after high school he tried out for the Minnesota Twins.
On July 26, 1974, Don married his high school sweetheart, Kim Ellison at Brunswick United Methodist Church in Crystal, Minnesota. Don and Kim lived in Minnesota raising their family of two daughters: Cheryl and Valerie. In 1992, the family moved to Florida where they made a lot of friends and enjoyed the weather. In 1997, Don and Kim moved to Oklahoma.
Don enjoyed being a Computer Developer/Programmer for all of his life. He was one of the original founders of Symplex Software Systems in Minnetonka, Minnesota. He was the Vice President of Research and Development from 1984-1994. In November 2001, Don accepted a position at Balon Corporation in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and continued working until he retired in March, 2016. Don was a gifted programmer and played a large role in growing Balon from 300 employees to over 1,000 employees and expanding its footprint from 265,000 square feet to 1.4 million square feet. He had a great job working with great people that will deeply miss him.
In his free time, Don was a true family man spending quality time with family and his dog Barney. He also enjoyed golfing, fishing, and watching Oklahoma Sooner football games. Don was an avid bowler for many years earning him two-300 games and was awarded a 300 watch and ring.
Don died on September 21, 2016 having attained the age of 62 years, 9 months, 15 days. He is preceded in death by his mother.
He is survived by his wife Kim Gray of Norman, Oklahoma, daughters Cheryl and her husband Kurt Lyon of New Port Richey, Florida and Valerie and her husband Josh Schave of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota; grandchildren Drake Lyon, Brianna Lyon, Sage Buckingham, Abby Schave, Jack Schave and Eli Schave; father Donald Gray, Sr. and his wife Joan of Navarre, Ohio; brother Alan Gray of Candler, North Carolina; and sisters Laura Coulter of Shoshoni, Wyoming and Sybil Hoffon of Fort White, Florida; nieces and nephews; and many friends.
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