Carroll Gray

GRAY, Carroll D. December 16, 1925 - May 27, 2009 We thought this story would not be written for another 20 years, but a very special man died unexpectedly. Carroll passed away at home while getting ready for his regular exercise class at the Spokane Club. Carroll was smart, funny with a quick dry wit, and disciplined. He made daily To Do lists. He read because he was curious. He wrote clearly. He knew crossword puzzles might consume him, so he limited himself to the daily New York Times. He played Scrabble too well for his wife and all but one daughter. He played a good game of chess. He shunned cocktails for Budweiser Beer. He loved his aging Bayliner, moored at the Spokane Yacht Club, where he was always fixing the motor. He drove modest cars until his 70s when he discovered Cadillacs. He was a Democrat and a Catholic. Carroll's career as a prosecutor spanned five decades. As an Assistant U.S. Attorney, and later as acting U.S. Attorney for Eastern Washington, he was among the first in the country to serve under multiple presidential administrations. (Even Nixon kept him on.) He mentored many young law students and enjoyed picking up their bar tabs. He was a trial lawyer in the best sense of the profession. He brought integrity to the courtroom, knew the hearsay rules, and could talk to juries. He was better than Matlock. He was born in Douglas, Washington, a town too small for most to know. When he was eight, his father died, leaving six children and a widow during the Depression. He once explained he never felt poor, because his situation was shared by all around him. He became a naval officer near the end of World War II, went to college under the G.I. Bill, and graduated from the University of Washington School of Law in 1951. As a young lawyer, he persuaded a friend to introduce him to the pretty brunette he kept seeing around town in the courthouse, in the church, in the cocktail lounge. Carroll and Kay Crowley were married shortly thereafter in 1958. They loved steak dinners on Friday nights. They frequented the Davenport Matador room, the Ridpath, the Spokane Club, the Trio, and the Studio K. Carroll always said that he liked Kay because she was fun. They raised 5 children. He drove the turquoise Chevy, she drove the red station wagon. Kay let Carroll make the tough calls with the kids. He gave in to long hair for the boys, retiring his electric hair clippers. The girls were allowed bikinis and pierced ears. Together they raised children who earned good grades, and learned the values of hard work and honesty. He kept active throughout his retirement. He joined an exercise class because exercise is "so important for old people." He took up computers and developed an appreciation for Wikipedia. He bought an iPod at age 83. He traveled to Europe and Egypt. He met regularly with retired lawyer friends. He drove younger seniors to their doctors' appointments and delivered them Meals on Wheels. He completed free tax returns and wills. He took pride in his industrial grade snow blower, which he used to clear his neighbors' driveways. He was at the top of his game this past winter. In his 80s he was still climbing the ladder to install Christmas lights, sliding down the big red wagon at Riverfront Park, and water skiing. He was a rare senior. He taught his grandkids how to saw wooden toys and made them igloos. He wore a custom sweatshirt decorated with his grandkids' handprints. When asked about the handprints, he liked to complain that unknown women were "pawing him." He leaves behind his wife of 50 years, Kay, his children, Gail Taylor (Paul) of Clyde Hill, Tom of Spokane, Joe of Kirkland, Peggy Merchant (Mike) of Portland and Teresa Reuter (Todd) of Spokane. His grandchildren are Cameron and Phillip Taylor; Elizabeth, Matthew and Daniel Merchant; Audrey, Ellen and Margaret Reuter. He is also survived by his siblings Lawrence Gray of Vancouver, Melvin Gray of East Wenatchee, Irene Knutsen of Spokane, and Gorman Gray of Washougal. He was preceded in death by his brother Edwin and parents Anna and Conrad Gray. He died in the manner of his favorite toast, with "a quick death, and an easy one." Carroll said that old people don't expect big turnouts at funerals. Visitation will be held Sunday, May 31 from 12:00 to 5:00, followed by a Vigil Service at 5:00 p.m., both at the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Augustine Catholic Church on Monday, June 1 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers please donate to: Catholic Charities Spokane, 1023 West Riverside Avenue, Spokane, WA 99201. Please visit Carroll's memorial and leave a condolence at www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements entrusted to: