Jerry Taft Gray

Jerry Taft Gray, a talented welder and proud owner of J. T. Gray Steel Fabrication, passed away peacefully in South Jordan on Friday, November 21, 2025 at the age of 69. He was born on July 26, 1956, in Lehi, Utah.

Jerry was a dedicated craftsman whose passion began early, learning blacksmithing from his grandpa, Ellis Varvilla Taft. Over the years, he honed his skills and eventually built his own successful fabrication business.

Jerry contributed his craftsmanship to projects throughout Utah, including installations at Hogle Zoo, food-industry operations, large water-treatment facilities and many others. Running his company meant wearing every hat, and he did it with a toughness and talent that were entirely his own.

Beyond his work, Jerry embraced adventure. He loved riding four-wheelers, paraplaning, scuba diving, river rafting, and spending time on the golf course. Some of his fondest memories were riding Flossy, a horse he loved, alongside his grandpa Ellis in Bicknell, Utah. He also enjoyed hunting, trapping, and fishing with him. Jerry loved taking vacations, and his favorite trip of all was visiting the Galápagos Islands.

To his family, Jerry was the man who would give the shirt off his back if it meant helping them. He was a devoted husband to Jana and a proud father to Andrea (CJ), Ashley (John), and Jason (Kamille), as well as a loving grandfather to six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Rex and Nina Gray. He is survived by his siblings: Bruce (Ronda), Ruthann, Kenny (Marie), Deanna (Steve), and Carolyn (Andrew).

Jerry's dedication, his craftsmanship, and the memories he created with those he loved will carry on. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

You'll find him somewhere on a sandy beach with palm trees in a hammock.