Edwin Gray

On November 26, 2015 our beloved husband, cherished father, grandfather and great-grandfather quietly slipped through the veil after a mercifully short battle with metastatic prostate cancer of the spine. Ed was born in Boise Idaho on Dec 30, 1934 to Eldon Theodore and Violet Margaret Erickson Gray, the oldest of four siblings.

He married his sweetheart, Arleen Monson, in Long Beach California on Oct 13, 1956. Their life together as best friends was one of mutual devotion and unwavering love. They settled in Ogden Utah where Ed worked at Hill Air Force Base as an aeronautical engineer until 1969 when they moved to Idaho where he worked for Boise Cascade. In 1973 they moved to Bountiful Utah where Ed opened his own business, ENTRE Inc. He eventually became a general contractor in southern Utah where he built beautiful cabins and homes, including his own. Ed and Arleen loved the sun and beauty of St George and the view of Pine Valley Mountain from their home in Santa Clara. He quit building but never retired continuing to fix garage doors, without charging single women or friends for his time. Ed’s personal and professional reliability and integrity were omnipresent.  He was an important mentor and hero to his immediate and extended family, friends, acquaintances and strangers alike.

Ed graduated from Ogden High School in 1952, completed a BS in Engineering in 1956 and an MBA from the University of Utah in 1967.  He was a champion of education who encouraged his children’s, grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s pursuit of knowledge.  Ed also worked as a GED proctor at Dixie State College and volunteered for 5 years at the Santa Clara library.  It was rare to see him without a book.

Ed got his first motorcycle when he was 16 and was a lifelong motorcycle and car enthusiast, never missing a Santa Clara car show. He ran his first St George marathon at the age of 50 and completed 22 of them.  He also ran numerous Painters’ half marathons and Santa Clara Swiss Days 5K’s, the most recent in September, finishing as the oldest competitor. His long gait was recognizable along the trails near his home year round.  His progeny were fortunate to go on many hikes with him through the red rocks that he loved.

The last two years of Ed’s life found him tenderly caring for Arleen. His example of selflessness and pure love will live on. He was the quiet, gentle constant in our lives.

Ed was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and truly served as the Savior did whether as a home teacher, Executive Secretary, or volunteer coordinator for the stake welfare garden .When Arleen served as Relief Society president Ed was her 3rd Counselor and their team effort continued as they provided transportation and care for those in need around them.

Ed is survived by his precious wife of 59 years Arleen; his children Lynnette Hughes (David), Cathy (Lisa Eskelson), and Joel; his sisters Donna Roberts, Dian Adams and his brother Eric; his grandchildren, Katie Hughes Eves (Justin), Don Hughes (Pamela), Jared Hughes (Dani), Aaron Hughes, Stacie Hughes Sasagi (Lance), Carlie Hughes (currently serving in the Taiwan Taipei mission), Ericka Hughes and Melynda Hughes as well as 12 ½   prized great-grandchildren. They will all reap the benefits of his yearly lesson that “life isn’t always fair” – we will never see a quarter without remembering.

Funeral services will be held Saturday December 5, 2015 at 11:30 am in the LDS chapel on 3815 Rachel Dr. Santa Clara, Utah. A Viewing will be held Friday evening from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 to 11:00 am at the chapel.

Because of Ed’s humble, unassuming nature his family rarely knew the details of the way he affected the lives of others.  Please share a message with us about the way he impacted your life and/or any special memories you have of Ed that would be treasured by his posterity on his Guestbook at mcmillanmorturay.com

In lieu of flowers please make donations to Arleen for the Ed and Arleen Gray Memorial Scholarship Fund which is being established.