Richard L. Dray

Richard "Dick" Leroy Dray, 69, of Beloit, Wisconsin, passed away on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, at Delavan Health Services in Delavan, Wisconsin.
Dick was born on June 23, 1953, in Beloit, Wisconsin, the son of Keith Leroy and Sheila Rogene (Suedmeyer) Dray. He graduated from Beloit Memorial High School in 1971. While in high school Dick was a member of the Beloit Junior Police Officers where he obtained the rank of Inspector. On August 11, 1973, Dick married the former Rosemary Edith Pautsch in Beloit. Rose preceded him in death on January 29, 2003.
Dick had a very colorful working carrier. He was employed for 18 years as a heavy machine operator and snowplow driver with the Iowa Department of Transportation in Marion, Iowa, was the town Marshall in Alburnett, Iowa for a few years, was a truck driver with ABC Corporation in Beloit, and was a volunteer firefighter and EMT-D starting in South Beloit, Illinois, and ending in Center Point, Iowa, for twenty-five years.
Dick was a member of the Shopiere Congregational Church, where he helped with the Men's Breakfast. For many years he dressed up like Santa Claus during the Christmas Season and visited local schools and businesses. In the early years of his marriage, he and his wife enjoyed spending time with people with special needs. Dick was an avid fisherman, and enjoyed catching fish with his son, and youngest daughter. While in Las Vegas, he enjoyed gambling and playing slot machines at Western City, Sam's Club, and The Longhorn. Dick will always be remembered for messing and fooling with his family, friends, and strangers alike. He greatly loved his dogs; Bear, Motley, and Muttley. Most of all Dick deeply loved and spent as much time as he could with his grandchildren.
Dick is survived by his children, Angi (Jackie Fellbrooke) Dray, Michael (Jennifer) Dray, and Steffany (Robert Siltala) Dray; grandchildren, Harlow, Alexendria, Aubreana, and Harmony; siblings, Bob (Pat) Dray, Tom (Barb) Dray, Linda (Mike) Carr, and Carol Gilbert; numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives; along with many close friends including Merry Rooks, and Steve Lowe. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rose; his parents; brother, Tim Dray; brothers-in-law, Everette Gilbert, and Phil Pautsch; mother and father-in-law, Alice and Raymond Pautsch.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to: Delavan Health Services, St. Croix Hospice, Aurora Lakeland Hospital, and Hansen-Gravitt Funeral Home. Thank you to Dr. Leo, Dr. Cadet, Dr. Charles, and the many others that cared for Dick over the years.
A memorial gathering will be held sometime in the late spring or early summer of 2023. Hansen-Gravitt Funeral Home, 424 Prospect Street, Beloit, Wisconsin 53511 is honored to be assisting the family. Online condolences can be shared at www.hansengravitt.com
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of
Richard L. Dray, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.