Dennis Bray

Dennis Allan Bray Dennis Allan Bray, age 63, was born in Grand Forks, N.D. He passed away at home on September 8, 2014, after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. Dennis is survived by his wife of 35 years, Patty; sons, Blake (Ashley) Bray and Brandon (Jenna) Bray of Lakewood; special grandson, Bentley; and "soon-to-be" grandson, Baby Chance; mother, Marjorie Bray of Mesa, Arizona; sister, Linda (Cliff) Olson of Camano Island; and brother, Gary Bray of Marysville. He also leaves behind many relatives and friends including special cousin, Mary K. Hogan and Myra Reinhardt, who was like a daughter to him. He was preceded in death by his father, Russell Bray. Dennis moved with his family to Washington State in 1954, eventually settling in Marysville where he graduated from high school in 1970. He started work at B&M Foods in Everett, eventually becoming produce manager. During this time he met then married Patty in 1979, moved to Lakewood into the home they built, and raised their family. Dennis spent 45 years in the grocery business, most recently at IGA at Camano Plaza. Dennis was a farmer at heart and spent many years raising beef, chickens, pigs, goats, etc., as well as, planting his red potatoes which he would turn into hash browns, load up his truck and drive to Pattys office at GTE where her co-workers would head out to the parking lot and buy every thing he had. One of his fondest memories was taking his family back to his uncles farm in North Dakota and working on his potato farm in the Red River Valley. Dennis was a well known and respected Pigeon Fancier and judge for many years. He got his first pair of pigeons when he was 9 years old and when his dad realized he wasn't going to become disinterested, he started taking him to local pigeon shows and his pigeon hobby took off. He has participated in shows in Canada and all over the United States, attending shows up and down the east & west coast, and many places in between. He won many 1st places and was always proud of his wins in at least, four Grand Nationals. The highlight of his hobby was when he and his friends went to Nuremburg, Germany to attend the German Grand National in 2006. He had many stories to tell about that trip. In 2012 the German host family actually came to the Northwest and visited their new American friends. We hosted a party at our home and fun was had by all! His friends in his hobby were a very important part of his life. Hank, Vic, Leonard, Orrie, too many to mention, but you all know who you are, and you know how much he loved you all. Dennis has left us far too soon and will be forever missed by his family and friends. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, September 20, 2014, at the family home in Lakewood, from 1-5 p.m.