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Alfred Gray Obituary
PEORIA - Alfred R. "Tote" Gray, 86, of Peoria passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 11, 2018, at Grand View Alzheimer's Special Care Center in Peoria.
Tote was born on December 30, 1931, in Henry to John and Elva Gray.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Shirley; one son, Keith (Joy) Gray; one daughter, Sherry (Stan) Hayes; two grandsons, Grant Gray and Adam Sondag; and one brother, John (Barb) Gray Jr.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Wally and Harley Gray; and one sister, Judy Secrest.
Tote lived and breathed motorcycles and owned and operated Grayboy Motorsports for over 45 years. He was a strong supporter of motorcycle racing over the years. He sponsored many racers and a racing team. Tote was the president of the Illinois Motorcycle Dealer's Association in 1977 and became race director after that. He was instrumental in getting the city of Springfield and the Illinois State Fairgrounds to let the Springfield Mile return in 1981.
Tote was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War, serving from 1952-1954.
A funeral will be held for Tote at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 15, 2018, at Mossville United Methodist Church in Mossville. Friends and relatives are invited to a visitation with the family from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 14, 2018, at Weber-Hurd Funeral Home in Chillicothe. Burial will be in Chillicothe City Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or Mossville United Methodist Church.
Tote's online memorial may be viewed at www.weberhurdfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Alfred Gray
Sponsored by Weber-Hurd Funeral Home.
Kerry Summitt
April 3, 2022
Just learned of our loss of Tote Gray. I worked for him for years, and will always admire and look up to the great man he was. RIP brother.
Dale Harding
March 6, 2021
Tote was one of the best friends zi had while I was racing. I will never forget him.
Dianne Ellenson
March 7, 2020
Shirley, Thoughts are with you on this anniversary day. I miss seeing you and the ladies of Altrussa. In the flash if an eye, out lives seem to change. God be with you and your family.
Terry Williamson
March 22, 2018
I just found out today that tote passed. I am so sorry for your family's loss. I loved working with hem and he will be missed.
Alton Bass
March 15, 2018
Thirty plus years of advice and suggestions and not one of them was wrong or misleading. He always treated my boys and me fairly and they were saddened as I to hear of his passing. His input to Motorsport will always have his footprint on it in central Illinois.
Mike Askins
March 15, 2018
Thanks for all the great time's and great racing Tote...Godspeed..
March 14, 2018
Tote gave me my first job while still in high school and to this day it was the only "job" in which I could not wait to do. he was always firm but always fair. My condolences to Shirley, Kieth and Sherry and Godspeed Tote!
Randy May
Fred Bohart
March 14, 2018
So sorry to hear of Tote passing, I loved dealing with Tote, About 25 years ago I sold Tote the Church Bell that was In his motorcycle show room, What a cool guy he was ! best regards to the Gray Family.
March 14, 2018
Shirley, Sherry & Family. I just saw Tote's obituary. I am so very sorry for your loss. Didn't meet you until 3 yrs ago, but Tote fought a valiant battle against his disease, and you were so faithful to stand with him and be his encourager. God is your strength and He will see you through this new Valley.
Rosana Benson
March 13, 2018
Shirley and family,
We just learned of Tote's death. We were saddened for your loss. We send our prayers and deepest sympathy.
Wayne and Rosana Benson
Kathy Martin
March 13, 2018
Sherry & Family ,So sorry for your loss. Over the past 20 years my Husband , Marv & I became good friends with Tote.He had so many Interesting stories to tell . Tote was a Selfless Man who had such a BIG HEART ! We know he will be greatly be missed
Marv & Kathy Martin
Peoria Heights
March 13, 2018
Shirley so sorry to hear about TOTE, WE LOST A TALLENTED MAN AND A GOOD FRIEND I AM SURE HE WILL BE MISSED BY MANY,ROSS
Dianne Ladd - Ellenson
March 13, 2018
Shirley, I was so sorry to learn of the loss of Tote. My prayers and thoughts are with you during this time. I think about you often, and wonder how you are doing. I never seem get up to Chillicothe. You and Tote are both a "shining star" in the community. My si Dianne Ladd Ellenson
March 13, 2018
Sorry to read of "Tote's" passing.He done so much for 'dirt track racin'& not only the guys'that He sponsord,but ALL the ones that raced!I got my 1st 'bike'in'53'& my last ride in 2005.I did buy 3 bikes from Him in the '90's when He was in the Heights..heck of a Promoter & super good guy! thanks for the memories & favors! GOD Bless...~~~Joe Denney,East Peoria,~~~
Dale Harding
March 12, 2018
Tote was one of the best friends I ever had. He had a significant impact on my life. I will always remember the good times we had.
Dale Harding (43s)
Sandi Beck
March 12, 2018
Sherry, I'm so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I have such fond memories of your Dad. He was a great man.
Jim Small
March 12, 2018
It would take a long time to list all the things I've learned from Tote. He had a patience with me and with a lot of other people who were lucky enough to work for him. As an army veteran, I knew how to take orders and how to keep my mouth shut. Both of these skills helped me through the early times with him. He never held back in anything that I watched him do. He was full-blast, and anyone who really knew Tote understands what this means. If I were ever in a fox hole, this is the guy I'd want next to me. He had an optimism about him that instilled confidence. I knew that he would do anything for me, and I would have been happy to do anything for him. I loved my Dad, my Mom and Tote Gray.
Gary Gill
March 12, 2018
So sorry for your loss. He was so much fun to work for!!!
Bobby Adams
March 12, 2018
To the Best Dirt Tracker promoter in the Midwest. Thanks for the Memories! Godspeed Tote.
Michael Mayo
March 12, 2018
So sad to hear this news. Tote was an awesome man that i had many dealings and discussions with.I think a big part of his motorcycle addiction rubbed off on me over the years...R.I.P my friend
Jennifer Mackey
March 12, 2018
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Showing 1 - 24 of 24 results
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Memorial Events
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Mar
14
Visitation
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Weber-Hurd Funeral Home1107 North Fourth Street #1505, Chillicothe, IL 61523
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Weber-Hurd Funeral Home1107 North Fourth Street #1505, Chillicothe, IL 61523
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