Anna (Amie) Gray

On the morning of February 6, 2025, Anna "Amie" Gray, 57, passed away peacefully in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Born on March 17, 1967, to Mikie Coates and Robert Burton, Amie was a bright light in the lives of everyone who knew her.

Amie earned a double bachelor's degree, one in Anthropology and the other in Geography and Environmental Studies, from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs in 2001. Her unique background allowed her to explore the world through both lenses, and she was known as one of the most dedicated and enthusiastic students among her instructors. During her time at the University, Amie worked at New Bent's Fort along the Arkansas River in 1999 and Bent Canyon Stage Station in 2000, both in southern Colorado. In 2000 and 2001, she traveled to Belize to do field archaeology at sites of 19th and 20th century Maya villages, working amongst top scholars from UCLA, U Wisconsin Madison, and UCCS on the San Pedro Maya Project. This work was instrumental in developing her future career focus on historical archaeology with a special interest in invisible histories of under-represented people.

In 2005, Amie moved on to earn a Master of Arts degree in Anthropology (emphasis in Archaeology) from the University of Denver. During her time there she focused her studies on the Ludlow Tent Colony and Massacre Site and successfully defended her thesis research entitled "Contested Ideals: Cultural Citizenship at the Ludlow Tent Colony." Amie was a valued friend to many in her graduate class. She was very supportive of their work, so much so that she often spent time helping them with their museum exhibits and even traveled to Tiwanaku, Bolivia to assist in another's thesis research. Their success was also her success, and she was often the light that led them through their journey.

For the next 10 years, Amie worked as a professional archaeologist for local cultural resource firms. In 2015, she and fellow UCCS and DU alumna, Kimberly Bailey, co-founded their own company, AK Pioneer Consulting, LLC, and continued her work protecting and preserving the past for future generations to enjoy and experience. She was an active and engaged member of the Colorado Council of Professional Archaeologists, the Society of American Archaeologists, and served on the small business committee for the American Cultural Resources Association.

Amie lived in Michigan, Manitou Springs, Denver, and in recent years landed in a well-loved and quirky mountain home in Woodland Park. Her curiosity and zest for life never wavered, and she approached every endeavor with energy and passion. She had a profound love for travel, hiking, camping, live music, art, gardening, and cooking. Amie had a dry and sometimes sly sense of humor and did not suffer fools. She laughed with friends about her love of boats - owning one for a time - even though she lived in a land-locked state and had a healthy fear of water. Amie found joy in the simple moments of life, often accompanied by beloved animals; most recently, Slinky and Banjo.

Amie is preceded in death by her parents, Mikie Coates and Robert Burton. She leaves behind her uncle Rick Shick and his wife Lucy, of Colorado Springs, and uncle Kurt Gray, along with a legacy of love, laughter, and adventure that will be cherished by her family and friends. We will miss her. We miss her already.

A private celebration of life service will be held in Amie's honor. Family and friends are respectfully invited to honor her memory and share in the joy she brought to our lives. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the National Mill Dog Rescue. In Amie's spirit, let us all remember to find beauty in life's simple moments and to encourage one another to do the same.