Daniel Langon "Dan" Bray Jr.

Daniel "Dan" Langon Bray, Jr., 78, died Tuesday, February 10, 2026, from complications related to Parkinson's disease.

Dan was born on February 25, 1947, in Bottineau, North Dakota, the eldest son of Dr. Daniel and Phyllis (Delmore) Bray, in a family of eight Irish-Catholic siblings. Dan graduated from Garrigan High School in Algona, Iowa. He received his bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Iowa, and he later graduated from the University of Iowa College of Law.

As a young man, Dan dedicated himself to activism and public service. He was a committed Vietnam War protestor, who worked in the Office of Social Action of the Diocese of Davenport. At the age of 23, while also attending law school, Dan was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives. Dan served one term from 1971 to 1972, representing Scott County.

After leaving the Iowa House, Dan practiced law for over 50 years, specializing in family law, which he sometimes referred to as "applied social work" and "helping good people at their very worst." From 1975 to 1983, Dan handled juvenile cases in the Johnson County Attorney's office. Since the early 1990s, he practiced with his longtime partner, Lori Klockau, at their law firm, Bray & Klockau, PLC. Their office is located in a beautiful Victorian house on Linn Street, which Dan lovingly restored himself. For many years, Dan had a wood shop in the office's garage, and he would occasionally come in to work covered with sawdust.

Asked why he specialized in family law, rather than being a general practitioner, Dan said with a twinkle, "Well, I was afraid of committing malpractice." In fact, Dan became a leading expert on family law in Iowa, committed to the continual improvement of the bar. Throughout his career, Dan was a frequent author and speaker on domestic relations issues. He was the author of Iowa Matrimonial Law, a legal treatise first published in 1986 and updated annually. He was also active in the American Bar Association, the Iowa State Bar Association, and the Johnson County Bar Association. Dan's expertise was recognized, as a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and as a Diplomat of the American College of Family Trial Lawyers.

Outside of work, Dan had a creative soul. He was deeply interested in art, design, and architecture. He loved woodworking, particularly turning wooden bowls from exotic wood. He was also an avid collector of work by local artists and artisans and of antique soapstone sculptures. Later in life, he designed and built a home on the banks of the Mississippi, with a massive limestone fireplace, quirky art from his friends, and expansive views of the river. This "cabin" was Dan's happy place, where he loved to watch birds migrate up and down the Mississippi.

Dan was also an avid fisherman and environmentalist. He looked forward to his annual fishing trips, for walleye and northern pike at Lake of the Woods in Minnesota and catching halibut and red salmon in Alaska on the Kenai with his sister Beth Kenney, his brother-in-law Matt Kenney, and their children. Dan was also known for composting just about anything (including a bag of hair from Hawkeye Barbershop).

After being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, Dan became a regular in the Rock Steady Boxing classes, taught by Clif Johnson and the ICOR Boxing team. Through boxing, Dan met new friends living with the same disease. Boxing brought Dan significant joy and energy in the last years of his life. His family is grateful to the ICOR Boxing team and also to the many caregivers and supporters who helped care for him in his final months.

As a lawyer, friend, brother, and father, Dan was an empathetic listener, an incredible storyteller, and a stubborn and fearless advocate for his people and causes he believed in. Dan cared deeply for his friends, family, colleagues, clients, and the welfare of all children, including his own. He will be deeply missed.

Dan is survived by his son Nicholas Bray of Coralville, Iowa, and by his son Daniel Bray III, his daughter-in-law Malinda Bray, and his granddaughter Lillian Bray, all of Denver, Colorado. He is also survived by his siblings: Patricia Bray of Anchorage, Alaska; Mary Bray of Winter Park, Florida; Robert Bray of West Des Moines, Iowa; and Richard Bray of Washington, D.C. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Matthew Kenney of Anchorage, Alaska; by his sister-in-law, Sarah Hardesty Bray of Durham, North Carolina; and by his former spouse, Gayle Babbitt Bray of Iowa City, Iowa.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Elizabeth Bray Kenney of Anchorage, Alaska, his brother Michael Dudley Bray of Iowa City, Iowa, and his brother William Philip Bray of Durham, North Carolina.

Dan is also lovingly remembered by his nieces and nephews: Elizabeth (Eliza) Bray, Anastasia Kenney, Dr. Christina Kenney Magill, Catherine Wilson, Caleb Bray, and Robert Bray; and by a circle of extended family, friends, and colleagues.

Dan's Celebration of Life gathering will take place at Terry Trueblood Park Lodge in Iowa City on March 13, 2026, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. CST. There will be a remembrance ceremony at 4:30 p.m., followed by drinks and appetizers. On March 14, 2026, the family will hold a private gathering to scatter Dan's ashes. If you would like additional details, please email: daniel.l.bray@gmail.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Johnson County. Under the checkout section, please indicate that the gift is in memory of Dan Bray.

Online condolences at www.lensingfuneral.com