Floyd Coral Gray

Floyd Coral Gray was born December 19, 1936, in the Hustletown Community, Chengwatana Township to Floyd and Ethel (Lindahl) Gray. From there they moved to Cloverdale where his father worked at the Cloverdale Creamery. When Coral was about 5 years old, the family rented a farm just east of Hinckley and later purchased the home farm on the Grindstone River.

As a teenager he worked on the Fritz farm and had the opportunity to train and jockey their race horses at the county fairs in the area, winning many races.

He attended school and graduated from Hinckley High School in 1954 with some of his lifelong friends. After working at a hospital for some time he joined the United States Navy. He served aboard the destroyer US Twining in the Pacific, the last 2 years of service were a deployment in Honolulu, Hawaii at Pearl Harbor, the site of the Arizona. that also made him some lifelong friends.

In 1958 and the next 15 years, Coral was employed as a precision machinist in Osseo and Minneapolis. Some of the parts he worked on went to the Moon.

In 1961, Coral married Kathleen Miller, together they had 3 children: Ricky, Carrie and Gary. Their first home was on Coon Lake just north of Minneapolis. In 1971, they purchased an 80 acre parcel of land east of Hinckley and built a home, garage, 2 pole sheds, and 3 cattle sheds. During this era Coral worked as a welder and has pontoons on Lake Powell, AZ.

During this time Coral started driving semis. In 1982 he purchased one of several Peterbilt trucks that hauled loads from Alaska, Canada, and the entire United States. Coral’s last job was driving for Wayne Transports, this was the joy of his trucking years. When he retired from driving big trucks, he purchased a GMC dually and an enclosed trailer and went undercover hauling prototypes of slingshots and motorcycles for Polaris Industries, it was at Polaris he was known as Gary’s dad.

Not to leave out the farming years of his life; Coral shipped embryos and semen from his Red Angus beef cattle to many parts of the United States. The breeding bulls and replacement heifers were sold to surrounding counties and Wisconsin. Coral also raised Australian Heeler dogs; many were working dogs herding cattle and some were companion animals.

His children, were exposed to farming and trucking from an early age; Rick was a better rated driver than his dad, according to Coral. Carrie was also located behind the wheel of semis and made trips to California. She has a caring personality and a love for animals, she lovingly cared for many animals ranging from pigs to cattle. Gary says his interest in motorcycles began with a ride from Coral at an early age.

In later years, Coral enjoyed welding; making craft tractors, 4-wheelers, motorcycles, airplanes, and spark plug key holders. He especially enjoyed making his annual batch of lefse for family and friends. He always made time to stay in touch with family and friends on the phone. His grandchildren gave him much enjoyment, they were always there to lend a helping hand on the farm or whatever was needed.

Many people over the years were available to lend a helping hand when one was needed through Coral’s many careers; you know who you are, please know you were always appreciated.

Coral is survived by his wife Kathy Gray of Pine City; children Ricky Gray of Pine City, Carrie Anderson of Hinckley, Gary (Jill) Gray of Arden Hills; grandchildren Cody Gray, Hunter Gray, Ryan (Laura) Mills, Adam Mills, Blake Anderson and family, Grant Anderson, JC (Courtney) Anderson, Mackenzie Anderson, Noah Gray, Adeline Gray; 8 great grandchildren; 5 step great grandchildren; sister-in-law Marlene Gray of Hinckley; many nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

Pastor Bruce Thompson will officiate at Coral's service: 2:00 PM; Sunday, April 13, 2025 at Swanson Funeral Chapel with a visitation 1-hour prior to the service. A private interment at the Union Cemetery, Hustletown will take place at a later time.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to: Funeral and Cremation Service of Pine City, Swanson Chapel

www.FuneralAndCremationService.com