Jonathan Peter Gray

1972 - 2018

Jonathan Peter Gray (Gooter) left the Gray Havens for the Undying Lands on February 10, 2018. After a courageous two-year battle with brain cancer, Jon found peace, surrounded by his loving mother and siblings. He is reunited with his father, William S. Gray, among the ranks of the Faithful Departed.
Jon was born on November 23, 1972 in Denison, Texas, son of Bill and Thelma Gray. He was their eighth son and eleventh child. Jon graduated from Subiaco Academy in 1991. He was honored with the Pereyra Award for his unselfishness towards other students. In 1995, Jon graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Chemical Engineering. After college, he began his career with Dow Corning at their chemical plant in Midland, MI. While there, he taught himself how to use the newfangled plant automation software. He quickly became an expert and was hired by the software company to teach other engineers. He continued learning about automation software and taught himself the basics of hacking computers. He became a cyber security expert and was sought by a government contractor to help protect our vital infrastructure from cyber threats. Jon quietly worked to save the Free World more than once.
Jon was an avid gamer who loved to make people laugh. As a young teen, Jon won a scooter in a local contest and sold it to buy his first computer. He traded his initial computer to a friend, because his friend's computer had more games. And so his love for computer games started. Jon enjoyed player-versus-player games the most, using female avatars. So, when he beat the boys, they thought they were beaten by a girl. And Jon was always first to the treasure!
Jonathan was a dreamer who loved adventure. Shortly after college, he created his personal motto: "Dreamers are thinkers, without the limit of what is impossible." He enjoyed being the first in the family for unique accomplishments and he liked pushing boundaries. He wanted to see all 50 states. When he accomplished that goal, he decided to see all the territories, too. And so he did. Jon also studied to be a civilian astronaut. He dreamed of travelling to Mars and living there on a colony.
In January 2016, Jon was diagnosed with late stage brain cancer. He was given three months to live. Jon's favorite character was Han Solo. When Han Solo faced a crisis with little chance of survival, he focused on winning, and he did not care about his chance for success. When Jon faced brain cancer, he said that he, "Han Solo'ed it!" And he did. He valiantly survived for over two years, as the cancer destroyed his brain and crippled his body. He never complained. Jon always smiled and brandished his quick wit and sharp tongue. For Jon, happiness was not a destination, it was a way of life.
Jonathan leaves behind his mother, Thelma Gray of Denison, TX; his eleven siblings: Edmund Gray and wife Lisa, Port Vila, Vanuatu; Damien Gray and wife Alice, Austin, TX; Bernadette Moritz and husband Kenneth, Gainesville, TX; Kevin Gray and wife Kelli, Denison, TX; Eric Gray and wife Mindy, Arlington, TX; Philip Gray and wife Emily, Hopedale, OH; Suzanna Mogollon and husband George, McKinney, TX; Jeffrey Gray and wife Dawn, Frisco, TX; Christopher Gray, Frisco, TX; Marla Gray, Denison, TX; Joshua Gray, Denison, TX; 28 nieces/nephews and 15 great nieces/nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, William S. Gray.
Rosary will be held at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, February 14, 2018, at Fisher Funeral Home Chapel, 604 W Main St, Denison, TX. Visitation will be following the Rosary.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, February 15, 2018, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 314 N Rusk Ave, Denison, TX. Immediately following the funeral services will be interment at Cavalry Cemetery, Denison, TX.
In lieu of flowers/gifts, please make donations in Jonathan's name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Condolences may be registered online at www.fisherfh.com or at the services listed.
Arrangements are under the direction of Fisher Funeral Home in Denison.