R. Pat Gray

Posted

R. Pat Gray peacefully passed away on Monday, Jan. 6 in Great Falls at the age of 94. Pat is survived by his children, Mark (Nancy) Gray, Alycen Updike, Carl (Trish) Gray; his 13 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren. He was proceeded in death by his parents; siblings; and his children, Emmett Gray and Elizabeth Mendoza.

Pat was born on March 17, 1925 in Globe, Ariz., to John and Alice Gray. He graduated from the University of Wyoming with a degree in Range Management in 1949, and a Master of Science Range Management from Texas A&M in 1951. He had worked towards his PHD in Economics at the University of Arizona from 1965-1967. Pat served in the U.S. Navy as a Gunner Mate and was honorably discharged in 1945. He worked as the County Agent for Gila County in Arizona for 10 years.

He had a love of the land and spent many years working it. He managed a cattle ranch nestled in the Highwood mountains and later lived in Lesotho, South Africa where he worked for a program through the U.S. government to teach South Africans how to raise cattle.

In the later years of his life, he embarked on the journey of selling real estate. He worked for brokerage companies in Payson, Ariz., and continued to do so when he returned to Great Falls in 2002, where he resided until he passed. Pat was a friend of Bill W. since August of 1981.

Condolences for the family may be shared online at www.SchniderFuneralHome.com.