Herbert Gray Obituary

GRAY
Herbert William Gray, of Canyon Lake, Texas, died on Friday, January 21, 2011. Herb was born June 12, 1934 in Goosecreek, Texas. In 1999, he retired from the Alamo Cement Company, where he worked since moving to San Antonio in 1971. Herb enjoyed fishing at his retirement home on the Guadalupe River. He played professional football for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers after graduating from the University of Texas where he was an All-American in 1955 and later inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor. In 1980 he was named Blue Bombers Best Defensive Player of the Half-Century. Herbert went on to be inducted into the Winnipeg Football Hall of Fame, the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame, and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. He was also selected to be on the Canadian Football League All-time, All-star Team and one of twenty All-time Blue Bomber Greats at their 75th Anniversary in 2006. His parents, John and Alma Gray; his brothers Leonard and Otto; and son Bryan preceded him in death. His wife, Maureen; sons Kevin of Miami, Florida, Steve of San Antonio, Texas; his wife Lieschen; and granddaughter, Stephanie, survive him. Heartfelt thanks to Samuel Vesa and the caregivers at Pipestone Place, and Dr. Pham and Grace Hospice. We will miss that man.
MEMORIAL
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2011
VISITATION
2:00 P.M.
SERVICE
3:00 P.M.
PORTER LORING NORTH CHAPEL
Interment with a graveside service will be at a later date at St. James Cemetery in Clare, Iowa. Memorial contributions may be made to Pipestone Place, 2104 Pipestone Drive, San Antonio, TX 78232.
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Published by San Antonio Express-News on Jan. 23, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Herbert Gray

10 Entries

Roger Locke

January 30, 2011

It sure wan an honor to be Herb Gray's Blue Bomber teammate. Herb was simply "fantastic."

Dava Johnson

January 26, 2011

My thoughts & prayers are with the Gray family.
Dava Sue Johnson (daughter of Kosse Johnson & Barbara Sue Johnson -

Gerry Foster

January 26, 2011

I was saddened to read just this morning of the passing of Herb Gray. A huge part of his life was professional football after this Texas Longhorn became a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League. I grew up in Manitoba and the Bombers were my team. Herb Gray was such an outstanding player, leading his team to 4 CFL championships. Perhaps it is fitting that the CFL title and Canada's Super Bowl is called the Grey Cup! Herb is the greatest Defensive lineman ever to play for Winnipeg. As a kid growing up he was an inspiration and hero to me.
Can you imagine the thrill and great honor for me to meet him one day in person when he visited the town in which I was living in Manitoba. He actually showed up at a house party at my home! And I was amazed, among other things, at how gracefully he danced for a big football player!
I was blessed to meet him in person and privileged to be so close to his outstanding football career.
To the family, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

From a grateful Canadian,

Rev. Gerry Foster

Cheryl Sweet Michelson

January 25, 2011

Dear Maureen, Steve, Kevin and Families, Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. All the Sweet's loved HERBIE! We will always remember all the fun we had together - great times!

May our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus comfort you all in your loss.

We love you all, Louis Sweet and girls, Gail, Sheliah and Cheryl

January 24, 2011

Maureen we heard from Sharon that your husband past away. It must be a great loss and a relieve at the same time.Our condolences. Cor and Ria from the church.

Robin & Cheryl Boldt

January 24, 2011

Dear Steve. Kevin, and Maureen,
I am very sorry for your loss but I know it is a relief as well to know that he is no longer departing further from himself, you, and this world. His battle has gone on for so long and was not only hard for him but especially you as his loved ones. I remember Herb as the vivacious, humorous, and steadfast champion he was, on and off of the field. I was pleased to learn of all of his honors by the CFL and his former team. Having grown up on Texas football as I did, I have always been proud of Herb’s All-American honor while there and knowing him too. I’m thankful that Herb moved his family here to San Antonio so I could meet his sons and the family. Having Kevin and Steve as life long friends, you could tell that Herb’s work ethic carried onto his sons, even when the line of work was so different. I’ve had the honor of enjoying his home on the river as well as his drop off and “rescue” service of us down the river along with our tubes. He may have seemed disrupted but then there was that special glint in his eye to let you know he thought it was funny too. And then my dad’s name was Herbert too! May you be blessed not only the memories and contributions of Herb but more importantly of the Lord’s blessings of grace, love, joy, and peace. Know that Herb has been blessed with those too.
Love in Christ,

Headwaters Construction Materials

January 23, 2011

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

January 23, 2011

To the family of Herbert Gray: Please understand that no disrespect is intended, here, but rather in my entering of this message, I am taking advantage of an opportunity to possibly further my Gray ancestry geneological research by making an inquiry about the heritage of your Herbert Gray. My name is Francis Herbert Gray, Jr., 210-641-0629, San Antonio, age 82, and my Texas heritage began in Galveston, 1835, when a William Gray, emmigrant from Durham, England, and family settled in Galveston, for a while. William Gray had sons William Gray and Edward Nixon Gray, and daughters Sarah, Elizabeth, and Ann. My great-grandfather, Edward Nixon Gray, and wife, became prominent ranchers of Duval County in the latter 1800's. If any of this possibly has a connection to your Herbert Gray, please contact me at the phone number cited above or via my e-mail address: [email protected]. Signed with deep respect for all your Herbert Gray means to you. .... Herb Gray, born in and life-long resident of San Antonio, married, father of four.

Bob Crittenden

January 23, 2011

I will always be thankful to Herb for his encouragement when I left Lyda over 30 years ago. He was always humble and hardworking, but a strong man who helped others in many ways. My heartfelt condolences to Maureen, Steve and all of the family. The entire construction industry has lost a great friend.

Linda Hernandez

January 23, 2011

Maureen, Although no words can really help to ease the loss you bear, just know that you are very close in every thought and prayer. He is no longer suffering.
I will miss seeing Herbie and talking to him almost everyday. When he smiled he lit the room up with his eyes. Good bye buddy! and may you have eternal rest.

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