Larry Gray

Larry G. Gray, 78, of Lexington, NC, formerly of Muscatine, passed away at his home on November 7, 2024.  A funeral service will not be held, as his burial will be at a later date.  A Celebration of Life will be hosted by his family on Saturday, January 11, 2025, from 1-4 pm, at the American Legion, 110 S. Houser Street, Muscatine.  All family and friends are invited to attend.   In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks for sympathy cards or donations for his memorial celebration be sent to his sister in care of Karen Martin, 2614 Ashford Ave., Muscatine, IA 52761.

Larry George Gray was born January 16, 1946, in Muscatine, the son of Richard William Gray and Leona Emma (Odell) Gray. He graduated from Muscatine High School in 1964, and attended Muscatine Community College. On September 26, 1964, he married Kathy (Terrill) Hofer in Muscatine.  They later divorced.  He was united in marriage to Janet (Shamburg) Gray, June 9, 1994 in Key West, FL. They were married for 30 years, living in Cory, PA, Muscatine, IA, Calabash, NC and Lexington, NC.  Larry spent most of his life working for Hon Industries, in various positions starting in Muscatine.  Over the years he also worked in manufacturing engineering for IH/Farmall, and Rempac Foam in NC, where he retired in 2008.

Larry will be remembered for his fun-loving personality and jocular sense of humor.  He enjoyed listening to all kinds of music from different eras, and was a self-proclaimed Parrot Head, a fan of Jimmy Buffet.  He enjoyed listening to old time radio shows, watching old cowboy movies, playing video games on his computer, creating slideshows of family photos, and sharing Jib-jabs.  He loved living near the beach, especially his years spent in Calabash, NC. He enjoyed fishing, walking, and driving around in his Mustang convertible with the top down.  Muscatine was always his home, returning as often as possible to visit family and attend Odell Cousin’s Parties. Along with his cousins and ding-a-ling aunts, he is credited with creating years of fond (and hilarious) memories at those family reunions.

Larry is survived by his wife Janet, of Lexington; his children Lori (Barry) Buzynski, of Cedar Rapids and Jaime Gray of Davenport, IA; and his daughter-in-law Marty Holder of LeClaire, IA; his step-children Bill (Sandy) Puckly of Corry, PA, Tom (Tammy) Puckly of Waterford, PA, and Tina (Patrick) Boesel of Lexington, NC; his sister Karen (Tim) Martin of Muscatine, and sister-in-law Jewel Gray of Panama City Beach, FL; also by his grandchildren, Tyler (Alyssa) Buzynski, AJ Buzynski, Austin and Isaiah Gray, Westly (Tara) Gray, and Karlee (Zach) Mouw, and step-grandchildren Nickolas (Mirium) Eakin, Shalyn (Mychal) Reed, Alexandra Puckly, Justin and Brandon Puckly, Kyle and Erin Boesel; great-grandchildren Ava, Lola, Hadley, and Harper Gray; and step great-grandchildren Mariana and Natalia Munoz, Addilyn and Payton Reed, Barrett, Puckly, and Miller Greenlee.  He is also lovingly remembered by many special nieces, nephews, cousins, and very special first cousin/best-friend, Ron (Deanne) Miller.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Robert (Rob) W. Gray, one sister, Shirley A. Gray-Moss, and one brother, Richard B. Gray.