Roger D. Gray

Roger D. Gray, 69, of Clear Lake, formerly of Buffalo Center, Iowa, died Wednesday, March 4, 2015, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa.

A celebration of Roger’s life was held on Saturday, March 7, 2015, at Opportunity Village, Clear Lake, with Pastor Rich Murray officiating.  Graveside services were held at the Ramsey Reformed Church Cemetery, Titonka, Iowa, with Rev. Perry DeGroot officiating.  Family 

suggests memorials to Opportunity Village, Clear Lake.

Roger was born Nov. 7, 1945, in Bancroft, Iowa, the son of Richard and Iola (Meinders) Gray.  

He lived on a farm near Titonka until he moved with his parents to a farm near Buffalo Center, where he helped them with milking and feeding the cows.  He was baptized at the Ramsey Reformed Church, where he also never missed attending Sunday school.  

Roger had a great sense of humor and enjoyed running races with his cousin, Jim, and never was beaten.  He loved riding in his nephew, Chris’ big truck and going to races.  The entire family would celebrate his birthday every year, and he always turned seven. 

In 1976, Roger moved to Opportunity Village.  You could always see Roger pulling his suitcase on wheels behind him, as he was ready to go anywhere you were going.  He enjoyed dancing, collecting pens, asking for a dollar bill or bottle of pop.  The residents and staff at the Village became his second family, whom he cherished.

Roger is survived by his four siblings, Ardell (Becky) Gray, Clinton, Mo., Karen (Steve) Evenson, Algona, Iowa, Michael Gray and his fiancé, Marcelyn Scott, Placerville, Calif., and Linda (Ron) Abels, Thompson, Iowa; nine nieces and nephews, Monica, Chris, Kelley, Jonathan, Amy, Carissa, Matthew, Dusty and Tyler; 17 great nieces and nephews; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.  

He was preceded in death by his parents and a great niece, Aislynn.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel was in charge of arrangements.