Paul A. Gray

Paul Alton Gray, 73, of Eau Claire, passed away on Wednesday, April 30, 2003, at his residence surrounded by his family. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1pm, Saturday, May 3, 2003, with Rev. Robert Duehlmeyer officiating, at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with burial and Military Rites in Shanghai Cemetery, in Eau Claire. Friends may call on the family 1-hour prior to the service, beginning at 12pm Saturday, at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice At Home, or to St. Paul?s Lutheran School in Sodus. Those wishing to send a condolence message or sign the family Guestbook online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com Paul was born on April 14, 1930, in Lake Placid, New York, to Alton and Viola (Major) Gray. He married Pauline Kasun on November 7, 1953 in Kentucky. He made a career in the United States Army. He served in Vietnam from 1960 ? 1963 and 1970 – 1971, and received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and was a Master Jumper in the 101st Airborne. Paul served for over twenty years, and retired as Master Sergeant in 1971. Paul worked as an Engineer for Clark Equipment, retiring in 1987. He was a member of VFW 1137, and the Gray Fishing Club in Florida. He enjoyed golfing and was an avid outdoorsman. Paul is survived by his wife Pauline; 3 daughters ? Rhonda (Ron) Vickery, of Dowagiac, Donna (Calvin) Arent, of Eau Claire, and Paula (Ken) Pickard, of Benton Harbor; 11 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, 2 step-great-grandchildren, and a brother Donald Gray, of Deep Run, N.C. He was preceded in death by his daughter ? Barbara Benson in 1993.