1923
Wesley
2008
Wesley Gray
August 15, 1923 — June 6, 2008
Wesley Harrison Gray, was born August 15th, 1923 near Osseo, Minnesota to Neil and Blanch (Hartkopf) Gray, where they lived on a potato and dairy farm. He attended country grade school then graduated from Osseo High School in 1940 with a class of 27. Wes enlisted in the United Stated Navy on November 14th, 1944, and served on a minesweeper in the South Pacific during WWII. He had attained the rank of Quartermaster Third Class before receiving an Honorable Discharge on July 16th, 1946. Following his discharge Wes attended the University of Minnesota and graduated in 1947 with a Bachelor of Science Degree with Distinction.
Wes worked briefly for Green Giant Company in Watertown, Minnesota after graduating from the University of Minnesota. He then joined the staff of the West Central School of Agriculture and Experiment Station (WCSA) in Morris, Minnesota. He taught classes and coached football at WCSA. During the summer months he was Station Horticulturist in charge of experimental vegetable and fruit growing. He met Avanelle Miller at WCSA and the two were married on June 25th, 1950, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Wheaton, Minnesota. In 1954, Wes took a sabbatical to complete a Masters Degree in Horticulture Science at the St Paul Campus of the University of Minnesota. Wes continued his horticultural research career as WCSA transitioned to become the University of Minnesota Morris in 1963.
Wes managed the Eagles baseball team in Morris the year the lights were installed in the new baseball field. The team went to the state tournament in 1956. He was a member of the Stevens County Agricultural Society (fair board) for 13 years and secretary for six years. He was on boards of the Villa of St. Francis, West Central Homes and First Lutheran Church. He judged area county fairs for 35 years. As a member of the Morris Lions Club, Wes organized the Little League Baseball Program. He helped develop the Minnesota statewide master gardener program and he started the Prairie Yard and Garden show on public television.
Wes was proud of his flower garden during his retirement years and enjoyed growing fruits and vegetables. He was well known throughout the area to freely share his horticulture knowledge, having many phone calls for advice, especially during the spring. His favorite experimental flower growing endeavor was the lily. Wes and Avy enjoyed traveling the world during their retirement years, including many Elderhostel programs in the US and abroad. Wes was a student all his life, continually reading and learning a variety of subjects.
Wes died on Friday, June 6, 2008 at his home in Alexandria, surrounded by his family. He fought a courageous 12 year battle with prostate cancer which progressed to bone cancer three and one-half months ago. He was under the care of Douglas County Hospice at his home the last week of his life.
He is survived by his wife, Avanelle "Avy" Gray of Alexandria; his five children: David (Becky) Gray of Alexandria, Carmen (Scott) Kemper of Plymouth, Judy (Ron) Long of Pillager, Maureen (Ken) Scott of Great Somerford, England and Daniel (Tracy) Gray of Alexandria; six grandchildren: April, Ashley, Abbie, Mason, Myles and Anna; one sister: Evelyn (Loren) Kinghorn of Osseo; one brother: Howard (Oreta) Gray of Clear Lake and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved four legged companions - Skippy, Lucky and Chip.
Serving as pallbearers for the service are: Marvin Kinghorn, Steve Poppe, Ron Long, John Schmidgall, Paul Gray and Orville Brunkow. Honorary pallbearers are: Lloyd and Jan Anderson, Ken Anderson, Harley Hanke, Les Lindor, Dennis Johnson, Bernie Angus, Tim Swedberg, Dave Wildung, Gladys Henricks, Merv Eisel and Sage the Dog. Special music for the service will be provided by Deb Mahoney, organist; vocalist, LaDean Moen accompanied by Virginia Hegre & vocalist, Pam Anderson. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.
Wes worked briefly for Green Giant Company in Watertown, Minnesota after graduating from the University of Minnesota. He then joined the staff of the West Central School of Agriculture and Experiment Station (WCSA) in Morris, Minnesota. He taught classes and coached football at WCSA. During the summer months he was Station Horticulturist in charge of experimental vegetable and fruit growing. He met Avanelle Miller at WCSA and the two were married on June 25th, 1950, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Wheaton, Minnesota. In 1954, Wes took a sabbatical to complete a Masters Degree in Horticulture Science at the St Paul Campus of the University of Minnesota. Wes continued his horticultural research career as WCSA transitioned to become the University of Minnesota Morris in 1963.
Wes managed the Eagles baseball team in Morris the year the lights were installed in the new baseball field. The team went to the state tournament in 1956. He was a member of the Stevens County Agricultural Society (fair board) for 13 years and secretary for six years. He was on boards of the Villa of St. Francis, West Central Homes and First Lutheran Church. He judged area county fairs for 35 years. As a member of the Morris Lions Club, Wes organized the Little League Baseball Program. He helped develop the Minnesota statewide master gardener program and he started the Prairie Yard and Garden show on public television.
Wes was proud of his flower garden during his retirement years and enjoyed growing fruits and vegetables. He was well known throughout the area to freely share his horticulture knowledge, having many phone calls for advice, especially during the spring. His favorite experimental flower growing endeavor was the lily. Wes and Avy enjoyed traveling the world during their retirement years, including many Elderhostel programs in the US and abroad. Wes was a student all his life, continually reading and learning a variety of subjects.
Wes died on Friday, June 6, 2008 at his home in Alexandria, surrounded by his family. He fought a courageous 12 year battle with prostate cancer which progressed to bone cancer three and one-half months ago. He was under the care of Douglas County Hospice at his home the last week of his life.
He is survived by his wife, Avanelle "Avy" Gray of Alexandria; his five children: David (Becky) Gray of Alexandria, Carmen (Scott) Kemper of Plymouth, Judy (Ron) Long of Pillager, Maureen (Ken) Scott of Great Somerford, England and Daniel (Tracy) Gray of Alexandria; six grandchildren: April, Ashley, Abbie, Mason, Myles and Anna; one sister: Evelyn (Loren) Kinghorn of Osseo; one brother: Howard (Oreta) Gray of Clear Lake and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved four legged companions - Skippy, Lucky and Chip.
Serving as pallbearers for the service are: Marvin Kinghorn, Steve Poppe, Ron Long, John Schmidgall, Paul Gray and Orville Brunkow. Honorary pallbearers are: Lloyd and Jan Anderson, Ken Anderson, Harley Hanke, Les Lindor, Dennis Johnson, Bernie Angus, Tim Swedberg, Dave Wildung, Gladys Henricks, Merv Eisel and Sage the Dog. Special music for the service will be provided by Deb Mahoney, organist; vocalist, LaDean Moen accompanied by Virginia Hegre & vocalist, Pam Anderson. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.
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