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Josef GRAY Obituary
(Age 84)
March 11, 1935 - February 17, 2020
Josef Elmer Gray, 84, died Monday, February 17th, 2020 in Bellevue following a brief illness.
He was predeceased by his wife of 56 years, Stephany (Stenton) Gray; surviving him are his sister Joanne (Gray) Leitch, and his six children, Lucian (Geralyn), S. Peter (Dana), Mark (Erin), Constance, Philip (Karla) and Peggy. With 14 grandchildren and three (soon to be four) great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews, family was his biggest passion.
Born and raised in Mason City/Coulee Dam, on the Colville Indian Reservation the son of Joseph Edward Gray and Mary Adeline (Seaton) Gray, he was a graduate of Coulee Dam High School in 1953.
After graduation, he attended Eastern Washington College where he played basketball, before matriculating and graduating from Gonzaga University in Spokane in 1957. Graduating at the top of his ROTC class, he was awarded an officers' commission into the regular army. After postings at Fort Knox and Fort Lewis, he left the army for a career in banking, starting as a collector for Spokane and Eastern Bank which later merged with Seattle First National Bank. He retired as President of Seafirst Bank in 1998.
A true Washingtonian through and through, he also attended graduate school at the University of Washington, Mr. Gray maintained residences on both sides of the Cascades, including one on the Yakima River where he and his beloved wife Stephany spent many days fly fishing.
Mr. Gray was a tireless campaigner for the less fortunate, supporting numerous charitable and educational organizations including the Arthritis Foundation, Boy Scouts of America, Providence Medical Center Foundation, Catholic Charities, Gonzaga University and more. A long-time parishioner of St. Louise in Bellevue, he also attended St. James Cathedral in Seattle.
A Funeral Mass will be held at St. James Cathedral, 804 9th Avenue, Seattle, WA at 10:30am on Friday, February 28th, 2020. Reception to follow. Donations in his name may be made to: Josef and Stephany Gray Scholarship, Gonzaga University, 502 E. Boone Avenue, Spokane, WA 99258-0098 gonazaga.edu/makeagift OR Nespelem School District #14 ASB Library Fund, P.O. Box 291, Nespelem, WA 99155.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Josef GRAY
5 Entries
Fred
December 11, 2023
Worked with Joe for many years ... remember our rafting trip down the river in central Washington.....rest in peace.
Judy Waltier
February 28, 2020
To All The Gray Family: I was sad to hear of Joe's passing and felt the need to share a few of my thoughts with you. I am forever grateful to Joe for the wisdom, advice and friendship he gave me throughout my career with Seafirst Bank. He was a kind man and a gentle giant in both stature and heart. Your family can be very proud of the legacy Joe leaves behind and for the many people he has touched and helped along the way. May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. Judy Waltier
Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary
February 25, 2020
Dear Joanne and Members of the Gray Family,
With sympathy and friendship, we Sisters of the Holy Names lovingly support you in prayer at this time when Josef's life has changed from mortal to eternal. May his new life in God's Presence bring great comfort Josef and to you all.
John Greene
February 23, 2020
I miss you pal....many fond memories of you Steff and the family and the many adventures we had together, starting as collectors and the many fishing and other trips we all took together
February 23, 2020
Thank you for your service to our country. Rest In Peace.
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