Bryce Earl Gray

HONOR — Bryce Earl Gray, 86, of Honor, died Thursday, March 25, 2010, at his home. He was born Aug. 17, 1923, to the late Deo and Imo Gray of Lake Ann and Almira Twp.

Bryce graduated from Honor High School. After graduation, he joined the Navy serving in the South Pacific during World War II.

Upon returning from the war, he entered the Michigan State Police Academy, where he served 26 years. He also worked for F.E.M.A. and M-Dot before retiring to his family-built cottage on Big Platte Lake.

He loved his family, the lake, boating, fishing, woodworking and farming. He planted and harvested Christmas trees on his farm.

Bryce was a member of the Congregational Church in Benzonia and the Lions Club.

Bryce is survived by his wife of 24 years, Darlene; his children, Jeannine and David Stanaway of St. Johns; grandchildren, Eric, Brett and Daniel and great-granddaughter, Heather; Laurie Gray of Bellaire; and Maureen Gray and Fran Finnochio of Interlochen; Peter and Kathy Gray; grandchildren, Courtney and Patrick of Carmel, Ind.; Matt and Julie Gray; grandchildren, Molly, Sarah and Ryan of Holt; and numerous foster children; stepchildren, Lorrie (Brian) Groenevelt and their children, Ashley (Brad) Schultz and Nathan of Traverse City; Len (Debra) Burns and their children, Todd, Cory, Kyle and Evan of Owosso; Louie (Nancy) Burns and their daughter, Nikki of Beulah and Eric (Janeen) Burns and their children, Jordan and Payton of Dansville. Bryce is also survived by sister, Alice Gates and friend, Fred Marsh; brother-in-law, Merlin Lautner and sister-in-law, Virginia Gray; and 13 nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by the mother of his five children, Donna Bergquist Gray; his sisters, Mary Lautner and Colleen (Arthur) Fewins; brothers, Edwin (Helen) Gray, Garl (Claribel) Gray and Zane Gray; brother-in-law, George Gates; nephews, Leon Fewins, Tony and Jack Lautner, and Larry Gray.

A celebration of Bryce's life will be at 1 p.m. Monday, March 29, at Eden Bible Church in Beulah, with the Rev. Marvin Rosa officiating. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Donations may be directed to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Church Street Station, PO Box 780, New York, NY 10008-780; or the Child and Family Services of N.W. Michigan, 3785 Veterans Dr., Traverse City, MI 49684.

Arrangement are by Jowett Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Benzonia and Frankfort.

This obituary was originally published in the Record-Eagle.