John Gray

John Gray, 89, of Winterset, passed away Thursday, December 30, 2021 at University Park Nursing & Rehab Center in Des Moines. Family will greet friends from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., Thursday, January 6, 2022 at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home Winterset Chapel. Funeral Services, including military honors, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 7th at the funeral home. Burial will follow in the Winterset Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Winterset VFW Post 8142. John Ellis Gray was born October 16, 1932, the son of Harry L. and Hazel J. (Bush) Gray. He was born on the family farm, south west of Winterset. He was one of two sons; brother, Harry L. Gray, Jr. passed away in 1982. John graduated from Winterset High School in 1950. He then went on to proudly serve in the Navy for four years. He was stationed at Sasebo, Japan. John assisted in the evacuation of the French Foreign Legion from Indochina. After his return home, John was employed by Pitt-Des Moines Steel at the downtown plant. He was a steel grinder to remove welding flash on huge steel girders to become bridges. John retired after the 1993 flood. He had established his privately owned business of trash collection. He became a member of the Orphans of the Pacific in 1999. Every year these members held reunions at some of the largest cities in the United States. John became reacquainted with old friends and made new friends. He loved traveling and seeing different parts of the country. He enjoyed teaching Sunday school at the First Christian Church in Winterset and was an active member of the Winterset VFW and Winterset American Legion. He was a loving father to Linda, Ron and Heather. John married Cheryl Simons in 1982 and become a stepfather to Amy and Brian. Those left to mourn his passing include his wife of 39 years, Cheryl; his children, Linda (Donald) Rinard of Winterset, Ron Gray of Winterset, Heather (Ryan) West of Albia; stepchildren, Amy (Brian) Kay of Clive, and Brian (Aubrey Loffredo) McCleary of Des Moines. John will be missed by 11 grandchildren, 2 step granddaughters, and many great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Hazel Gray; his brother, Harry Gray, Jr.; and a granddaughter, Misti Rinard.