Obituary of Lester Gray

Lester Lee Gray Jr. was born on September 11, 1949 in Temperance, Michigan. Lester was one of twelve children born from the union of Lester Lee Gray Sr. and Ernestine (Cowell) Gray. He attended Bedford High School. For more than twenty years Sonny lived in California. He moved back to Michigan in 1995. Soon thereafter he took employment with Temperance Body Shop. Sonny began with the body shop doing auto body work. However, when his health began to decline his responsibilities moved to that of operating the tow truck. He would frequently drive it back and forth to incidents. Sonny loved to feel the wind in his face, and his passion was for the open road. Sonny drove a Harley Davidson. His love of riding was shared with his brothers and several friends of his motorcycle club. Over the years Sonny had also obtained his own boat. This allowed him to enjoy an afternoon of fishing. Sonny took pleasure in bow and gun hunting; especially deer. Lester Lee Gray Jr. age 60 of Temperance, Michigan passed away at 9:42am, Monday; October 12, 2009 at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center where he had been for more than a month. He had been ill for several years, but seriously ill for six weeks. His passing was preceded by his grandparents: Glenn and Mildred Gray and William and Elizabeth Cowell; his parents; a sister: Pamela Gray; a nephew: Robert David Gray; and three brothers-in-law: Larry Williams, Maurice Whitson, and Arnold Wampler. He leaves to cherish his memory a son: Lester Lee (Jeannie) Gray of Toledo; five sisters: Mildred "Mickie" Wampler of Monroe, Lesta Williams of Toledo, Marilyn Whitson of Monroe, Roger (Joanne) Shimman of Oregon, Ohio, and Barbara Gray (Erik) Los Osos, California; five brothers: Ralph Gray of Monroe, Daniel (Tina) Gray of Toledo, Warren "Freddy" Gray of Apple Valley, California, Gary Gray of Temperance, and Eric "Randy" Gray of Toledo; six grandchildren: Jordan, Kailynne, Mayhana, Alayalyn, Cassidy, and Riley; several nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews. Friends may gather from 12-7 on Saturday, October 17, 2009 at Merkle Funeral Service, 2442 North Monroe St (734) 384-5185. A Celebration of his Life will take place at 7:00 pm. Memorial donations are suggested to the family. Donations may be made through an account in Marilyn Whitson's name at any Monroe Bank and Trust location. Online words of inspiration and comfort can be made by visiting www.merklefuneralservice.com and then selecting the Life Stories page.