Brian Gray, age 37, of Miles City

Brian Mitchell Gray left this world on November 14, 2022.
Brian was born July 19, 1985, in Tucson, AZ to Tamara and Thomas Gray. In kindergarten, he and his mom moved to Miles City, MT and were welcomed into the Terry Young family. From this union he gained a sister, Sandra Young and his brother, TJ Young. When he was 16, he was blessed with his youngest brother, Joseph Young.

Brian was a scrawny kid who had a passion for wrestling. He struggled for a few years but then it all came together resulting in multiple titles in both AAU and High School. His love for wrestling developed into an interest in many outdoor activities including fishing, hiking or biking through trails, and folf-ing from time to time. Through his sports and school activities Brian gained many lifelong friends who he enjoyed creating memories with. Friends describe him as a kind soul with a big heart, but those who knew well knew him to be funny, quirky, and full of interesting ideas on the mysteries of life.

After graduating high school in 2003, Brian enlisted in the United States Army where he served for four years. During his service he spent time in South Korea where he participated in a few non-military wrestling tournaments and earned a couple of titles. Military life moved him to Belgium and later San Antonio, TX before his honorable discharge from the Army.

Brian returned home where he was reunited with his former high school sweetheart, Samantha Bryan. This union gave him the love of his life, a daughter, Brynlei Dawn. Later, Alexandria Butcher entered his life and gave him his pride and joy, Alexander “Xander” Leon.

Brian experimented in many careers but found his niche working in the oil field and was soon running an oil rig in North Dakota where, yet again, he formed many
close, meaningful friendships. Brian was a huge “rock hound.” He would search for and bring home carefully selected rocks of all types everywhere he went. If you had a pile of rock or gravel, Brian would find the time to dig through it. He collected agates, crystals, gemstones, and numerous others that only Brian could identify. It wasn’t long before he had his children dragging home rocks whenever they spent time outdoors too. Every room in Brian’s house has some sort of rock décor.

Brian loved adventure and that included trying new or interesting foods. He also passed that on to his kids and now has them relishing BBQ and ranch flavored insect “treats.” He also appreciated the simple things in life. He loved to read and his favorite book as a child was, “The Giving Tree” because he understood the book’s significant message of unconditional love. Brian was always one to appreciate a beautiful sunset, a bright full moon, or a warm, calm day for fishing. He and his brother, TJ, enjoyed many fishing afternoons together where they would laugh, drink beer, and solve the world’s problems.

Because of his strong sense of family, Brian loved family gatherings and fostered solid bonds between his own children and his parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Brian also recently found half-siblings from his father’s side of the family and was quick to include his Pennsylvania kin into his big family circle. Recently, Brian revealed what he described as a once in a lifetime love with Ariel Clayton. They were actively preparing their lives to include their new blended family.

Those dear to Brian, and having preceded him in death, include grandmother Phyllis Young, great-grandmother Hillary Hartzel, Uncle Tom Young, and his best friend and brother TJ Young.

Brian is survived by his daughter Brynlei and his son Xander; dad Terry Young; his mother Tami Young (Vance); sister Sandra Young; and brother Joe Young (Raelynn); father Thomas Gray; sister Carla Gray; brother Shawn Gray; nephew Josh Wood Young; and niece Mya Young.

Surviving close family members also include aunt Jeannette Donnelly (Conan); cousins Matthew Donnelly, Rachel Donnelly, Robert Boager (Tonya), Treyton Boager, Miranda Stevens (Jake), Owen Boager, Brenden Williams; and grandparents Errol Johnson (Yaya) and Julie Williams.

A Memorial service will be held on Tuesday, November 22, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Eastern Montana State Veteran’s Cemetery in Miles City with full military honors. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Brian’s name to Keeping Miles City Beautiful, PO Box 722, Miles City, MT 59301.

Service Schedule

Memorial Service

3:00 p.m.

Tuesday November 22, 2022

Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home

1717 Main Street

Miles City, Montana 59301

View map

Interment with Full Military Honors

Immediately following the Memorial Service

Tuesday November 22, 2022

Eastern Montana State Veteran's Cemetery

Miles City, Montana 59301

View map

Reception

To follow the interment at Eastern Montana Veteran's Cemetery

Tuesday November 22, 2022

VFW

Miles City, Montana 59301

View map

Share

Send flowers

Please visit the floral shop page for assistance in choosing a local florist.

Photo Gallery

Share your photos