Barry Lane Gray

Barry Lane Gray left this planet after 74 years, 157 days. His last days were accompanied by siblings, kids, grandkids, a niece, a few friends, and medical folks. His siblings played guitar and sang while he did his best to sing along. Barry loved music and could play a mean harmonica and dance a wild jig if the occasion was right. With music in the background, he was an entertaining dealer of poker games (showdown anyone?) while also teaching future generations. He carved many walking sticks and gifted them to others. An avid rockhound and gemstone enthusiast, he hunted many places for natural, unique discoveries, finding more than he could carry. A collector of unique things, he attended many sales and auctions, usually with family.
As a father, Barry had the opportunity to raise three (Cory, Brandy, Jonathan) of his four kids (Christopher). A single parent most of his life, he relied on humor (even in the hardest times), imagination (singing goofy songs), realism (sharing truths) and family (breaks) to survive.
His paid work usually didn't bring much joy but his hobbies, parties, and friendships did. He always wanted to get back to places he traveled, especially Germany, while serving in the U S. Army. Two of his fondest trips were to the diamond mines in Arkansas with Gary and Gina and to Joshua Tree with Cory. Sci-fi, action, and war cinema piqued his interests and big questions about the universe.
As a boy born in the South, to Roy and Zelphie Gray, his family moved North to explore opportunities. With seven siblings: Sue, Becky, Jeannette, Gary, Sheila, Mike, and Jarvis, Barry always had someone around. Since moving to Michigan he had become a lifelong resident. He leaves behind several nieces and nephews in both the South and the North. In-laws by title, but family nonetheless, he says goodbye to Jim (Sheila) and Gina (Gary), Ben (Brandy), and Jamie (Jonathan). The sweetest and most gentle a man could be, little kids held his heart. His grandchildren; Gage, Isaac, Cyrus, Quinn, and Ophelia. His great-grandchildren; Dylan and angel, William. Gage had the honor of caring for Papa as he endured cancer these past months. What an awful thing to go through and go through it he did. "Beam 'em up, Scotty."
There will be no services at this time for Barry Gray. Arrangements have been entrusted to the VanHorn-Eagle Funeral Home in Hillsdale. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Wounded Warrior Project.