Ardith Rolland Gray, 91, of Washington, passed away Tuesday, May 15, 2018, at 11:38 a.m. at The Village of Oakridge, surrounded by his loving family, after a brief illness.
He was born July 31, 1926, in Pike County, to Roy Harris Gray and Ollie (Cole) Gray. He was educated in Washington Community Schools and had worked for B&O Railroad as a pipe fitter before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1944. He served in the South Pacific, checking pipelines and refueling in Okinawa until 1946. Ardith then returned home to work again for the B&O Railroad, as a pipe fitter, later becoming a self-employed truck driver. He was a member of the Washington American Legion, the VFW, and also a past member of the Moose Lodge.
He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara (Rayman) Gray, whom he married March 15, 1947; three sons, Larry (Lanette) Gray, Dick (Lisa) Gray and David (Shari) Gray, all of Washington; one daughter, Susan (Paul) Williams of Washington; 15 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great-grandchildren; and one sister, Juanita (Gray) Hoffman of Jasper.
He is preceded in death by his parents; eight brothers, Clifford, Dennis, Maurice, Royce, Bob, Gene, Dimple, and Lowell Gray; three sisters, Fern (Gray) Davis, Georgia (Gray) Lee and Mary (Gray) Russell; and a grandson, Brock Williams.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Ed Lee Mortuary, with Yvonne Evans officiating. Burial will follow in Sugarland Memory Gardens, with military graveside rites by the Washington American Legion and VFW. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Ed Lee Mortuary downtown location.
Memorial donations may be given to Riley Children’s Hospital, 702 Barnhill Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46202.
Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.edleemortuary.com.
