Gary W Gray

A memorial service for Gary W. Gray will be held on Monday, January 6, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at the Loomis Evangelical Free Church in Loomis, Nebraska, with Pastor Tom Thompson officiating. A private family inurnment will be held at Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege, Nebraska at a later date.

The service will be livestreamed via the Loomis Evangelical Free Church Facebook Page. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064602797276

Gary Wayne Gray, age 89, of rural Holdrege, passed away on Friday, December 27th, 2024 at Christian Homes in Holdrege, Nebraska.  Gary was born August 7, 1935 in Holdrege, Nebraska.  He was the oldest of two children born to Orval and Irene (Johnson) Gray.  He was baptized and confirmed at the Atlanta Methodist Church.

Gary attended grade school in Atlanta, Nebraska and then graduated from high school in Loomis with the Class of 1954.

On June 7, 1959, he was united in marriage to Patricia Jean Brown at the Atlanta Methodist Church.  To this union two children were born, Brian and Dale.  Gary and Pat lived in Holdrege and then moved to the family farm east of Atlanta for the remaining years.  Gary farmed and sold Golden Harvest seed with his father and then later with his sons.  In 1987, Gary turned the farm over to his sons.  At that time, he then continued helping on the farm where needed and also spent time working at local Salebarns.

Gary was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church of Atlanta, serving as an usher and different board positions.  He also served on the Rural Fire Board.  In the late 70's, he and Pat became involved in the American Agriculture Movement, traveling to Washinton D.C. with thousands of farmers to protest low grain prices.  In 1979, Gary, along with farmers from across the nation, drove his 1070 Case tractor to Washington D.C. as part of the AAM Tractorcade.

Gary enjoyed spending time with his family and attending his children and grandchildren's music and sporting events, 4-H Projects and Fair, camping and fishing at Fisherman's Gate.  Gary and Pat made trips to visit friends and relatives in California, Colorado and places in Nebraska.

Gary is survived by his wife, Pat, of rural Atlanta; sons:  Brian (Shelley) Gray of Holdrege and Dale (Brenda) Gray of rural Holdrege; Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren:  Michaela and John Parrish, Adeline, Weston and Scarlett of rural Holdrege; Amanda Gray and her boyfriend, Nathan Arehart, of Holdrege; Zachary and Meghan Gray and Merrick, of Holdrege; Colby and Heather Gray, Hadley, Henley and Haiden, of rural Holdrege; Allison and Blaine Janssen and Eloise of Alma; Matthew and Paige Gray, Adah and Emmett, of Holdrege; his sister, Sandra and Bob Slater; sisters-in-law:  LaVaughn Brown and Shirley Gengenbach;  brother-in-law:  Tom and Ruthie Brown, along with a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents and parents-in-law, Ted and Velma Brown; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-Law: Vivian and Bryce DeBoer; Bob Brown; Keith and LaRae Brown; Laverne and Doris Brown; Kenneth Gengenbach and Jackie Brown.

There will be no viewing or visitation. The family is honoring Gary's wish for cremation.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Gary's honor are suggested to the family for later designation or donors choice.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.