Johnny Grey

Some have said life is but a collection of moments gathered along the path of experience. A path traveled by all of us, one by one, for however long it takes. Some paths seem way too short, at least in terms of time.

When measured in width, including accomplishments and acquaintances, time is extended through the inclusion of others along that path.

Baltasar Gracian wrote "To find one real friend in a lifetime is good fortune; to keep him is a blessing".

Johnny Grey is blessed a million times over keeping the best of friends, his life much wider than long.

Johnny Levi Grey enlightened this world on March 2, 1981, in Bismarck, the son of DoeRae and Jerry Prante, and John Grey. He was third in line of four children, the others all sisters. He was united in sacred matrimony with Emma Lee Foss on May 9, 2017, at their home in West Fargo. Together they raised Johnny's beautiful daughter, Ella, in West Fargo and Pelican Lake, Minn.

Johnny was a beautiful man in so many ways. Behind that handsome face (when you could see it) was an avid lover of dogs and sports, participating in hockey, broomball, Invader football, all the while a fan of Sioux hockey, NDSU Bison, Twins, Vikings and the Wild.

To know him is to truly love him, his gentle spirit, the kindness in his eyes, his enduring love for Emma, Ella, Tavin, and family.

"He had enough love in him that he spread happiness with a hug that felt like it came from the arms of all that is good in this world. He had enough laughter to make your face muscles cramp up and be sore the next day." -William Erlandson

"Johnny carried the titles of Director of Education, Stylist, Unite Educator, Mentor and Friend. There are no words to adequately describe the type of person he was, and if you knew him you understand that completely. He was truly one of a kind. He loved his family, friends and clients fiercely. He worked so hard for things he believed in and was passionate about. He recently founded Beard Associates of North Dakota, started his own line of beard oils, and had so many more dreams that he was working endlessly toward. He was so excited about recently being invited to do hair at New York Fashion Week this upcoming fall! We were so proud of him and his many accomplishments. You were one in a million, Johnny Grey, and will never be forgotten. Rest easy, our dear friend. We will be missing you fiercely, until the end of time." –Blush Salon

"The moment you met Johnny, he was a friend. There will never be another Johnny." – Alice Matzke

An angel on earth, now in Heaven, our "sweet boy" gained his "certainly stylized" wings on June 23, 2019, rising to reunite with grandmother Marlys Rose Stein; great-grandfather, Joseph McGuire; grandfathers, Duane Alfstad, Ed Hasbargen, Dennis Prante; grandparents, Ann and Oscar Adolf, and Joyce and John Grey, and aunt Tammy (Larry) Cooper.

As he looks down from above, Johnny's presence will be felt by his wife, Emma Lee Grey, West Fargo; children, Tavin Grey, Galveston, Texas, and Ella Burns, Moorhead; father, John Grey and stepmother, Vicke Grey, Bismarck; mother, DoeRae (Alfstad) and stepfather Jerry Prante, Wahpeton; sisters, Farah Grey, Wahpeton, Kayla Grey; and niece, Aaliyah Rivera, Wahpeton, and Jadi Rose Prante, West Fargo; beautiful grandmother, Shirley Hasbargen, Wahpeton; aunts and uncles, Doreen and Dan Flick, Bismarck, Lori and Doran Alfstad, Bismarck, Paula and David Alfstad, Bismarck, Daren Alfstad, West Fargo, Julie and Kevin Lauter, Casselton, Deanna and Jay Prante, Casselton, Peggy and Jim Prante, Florida; more aunts and uncles Kerry and Don Bailey, Bismarck, Linda and Logan Dockter, Bismarck, Bonnie and Paul Brink, Bismarck, Vicki and Rick Whitworth, Bismarck, Janice and Dean Melgaard, Bismarck, Marsha and Tim Adolf, Bismarck, Curt Adolf, Bismarck; cousins, Beth and Geoffrey Whitworth, Bismarck; 12 cousins and their families; a billion more cousins; and the FRMC.

Let's gather together and celebrate Johnny at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 30, at 407 12th Avenue East in West Fargo. This is a dry event. Please dress casual.