"Condolences to Uncle Lloyd\'s family. Our family has had many fond memories with your family. Our children cherish the memories of times spent with your family in Rockford and at Grandma Gray\'s farm. We extend our deepest sympathy to all of you. God Bless you all. Bud and Gin, and family. "
In loving memory of
Lloyd L. Gray
August 16, 1935 - January 9, 2021
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 13, 2021, at Ramsey Reformed Church, Titonka. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 12, 2021, at Oakcrest Funeral Services, Titonka. Burial will be held in Ramsey Reformed Cemetery, Titonka. Social distancing practices will followed and masks are required. The funeral and graveside service will be live streamed on Oakcrest Funeral Services' Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/oakcrestfuneralservices/.
Lloyd Leroy Gray was born August 16, 1935 in rural Titonka, IA, son of Arnold and Sadie (Huisman) Gray. He grew up in Titonka graduating from Titonka High School. After high school, he enlisted into the military, serving three years. Following the Korean War, Lloyd served the Korean Conflict from January of 1954 to December of 1955 before being honorably discharged.
On June 1, 1956, Lloyd was united in marriage to the love of his life, Sharon Winter, in Buffalo Center, IA. Together, they were blessed with five children.
Lloyd farmed for many years before moving to Rockford, IL, in 1974. While in Rockford, IL. Lloyd worked as a machinist until retiring in 1998.
Lloyd loved fishing and spending time with his family. He never missed an event for his children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren. In Lloyd's younger years, he enjoyed pitching for the church's fast pitch softball team. An activity he loved playing with his two sons, Tim and Mark. Lloyd was an avid Chicago Cubs and Minnesota Vikings Fan. An activity he enjoyed was traveling and the highlight of his travels was seeing the Pearl Harbor National Memorial in Hawaii and traveling to Europe. Lloyd was a member of Ramsey Reformed Church in Titonka, IA.
In 2019, Lloyd moved back to Titonka, IA, where he became a resident of the Titonka Care Center, where he died on Saturday, January 9, 2021. He was 85.
Lloyd is survived by his children, Mary Beth (Doug) Bolie of Algona, Cheryl (Jeff) Vaher of Machesney Park, IL, Timothy (Sally) Gray of Loves Park, IL, Sally (Pete) Goltzman of Melbourne Beach, FL, Mark (Angela) Gray of Loves Park, IL; grandchildren, Jeremy (Molly) Bolie, Rachel (Eric) Fedie, Emily (Andrew) Schaefer, Cody (Ashley) Gray, Kaitlin Gray, Alyssa (David Zima) Goltzman, Alek Goltzman, Austin Gray, Brandon (Kayley) Gray; great-grandchildren, Levi, Carter, Truman, Aubrey, Braylon, Carson, Maddox, Evelyn, Noah, Delilah; sisters, Arlene Rafdal, and Dorothy Huesman; and sister-in-law, Kathy Gray-Johnson.
Preceding him in death are his wife of 43 years, Sharon; parents; Arnold and Sadie Gray; five brothers, Richard, Vernon, Lester, Alvin, and Larry; one sister, Lois; and a granddaughter, Sarah Marie Bolie.
Tributes
"Lloyd was one of my favorite people to see at a family gathering growing up, he always called me his girlfriend. He was such a positive person to be around. I know my grandma(Ann Patterson) enjoyed his company greatly. We stopped and saw him last year at Christmas so I could introduce him to my real boyfriend. So glad we took the time to visit. Condolences to the Gray family. "
"So sorry Mark for the loss of your father . Condolences to the family ????"
"Condolences to Lloyd?s family. Lloyd was one of the really good guys. I have several fun memories of uncle Lloyd when we were growing up together on the Gray family farm. I also appreciated the times he stopped in unexpectedly to see me on his trips between Rockford and Titonka. God bless you all. Paul Gray"
"For Mary, Cheryl, Sally, Tim & Mark, so sorry to learn of your dad\'s passing. It was such a struggle for him these last few weeks, after all the time in isolation. Thank God you were able to spend some time with him back in Tyke again. He was a sweetheart; we always laughed about the time he & Sharon got a card from me and he didn\'t pronounce the name right, so they had no idea who sent it! Be glad you can remember the good times, too. Love to all, Renee & Gary Struecker"