Robert James (Bob) Gray, age 92, of Ismay, Montana passed away on February 16, 2022.
Bob was born September 28, 1929 in Douglas, Wyoming to William H. and Pattie Shaw Gray. He was raised on the Shaw/Gray ranch near Orin, Wyoming.
On June 29, 1952, Bob married the love of his life, Betty Bruce Gray at Orin, Wyoming. They were married 67 years at the time of Betty’s passing in 2020.
He started his military service August 4, 1953 and after his service ended in 1955, he was part of the reserves until July 2, 961.
Bob and Betty worked for Bob’s uncle, Roscoe Shaw on the O1O Ranch at Jay Em, Wyoming until 1956 when they moved to Montana to run the Montana Ranch, which at that time was still owned in partnership with Bob’s father and brother. Together Bob and Betty raised their three sons Robert, Richard, and Roscoe on the ranch.
Bob will always be remembered for his love and compassion for livestock and people. He had a special way of making people smile and a talent for working with livestock. Bob and Betty were longtime supporters of the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch and the Ismay Community Church. Bob served on the Mid-Rivers board from 1972-1984 and was a longtime Mason.
He is survived by his sons Robert (Leslie) Gray of Ballantine, Richard (Karen) Gray of Ismay; daughter-in-law, Michele Gray of Dickinson; grandchildren: Scotti (Kevin) Moser, Brandi Gray, Rob (Sarah) Gray, Medori (McCahen) Schweitzer, Jordan Gray, Borden Gray, Elizabeth (Dax) Muri, Katie (Michael) Bost, Kelly (James) Rieger and Allan “AJ” Gray; granddaughter in-law Jessica (Rhodes) Roberts; great grandchildren Sawyer, Hayes, Bella, MJ, Leo, Caiden, Ella, Tailey, Ava, Elloree, Leeona, Wyatt, Huntley, Owen and a number of nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his wife Betty, his parents, brothers Bill (Anne) Gray and Cork; son Roscoe Gray; grandson, Yance Tell Gray; great grandsons, Grayson Rieger and Orin Muri.
Visitation will be held on Friday, March 4, 2022 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City with family receiving friends from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 5, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at the Ismay Community Church. Interment will follow in the Gray Family Cemetery at Ismay. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Ismay Community Church.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Friday March 4, 2022
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m.
Saturday March 5, 2022
Ismay Community Church
Ismay, Montana 59336
Interment
Following the Funeral Service
Saturday March 5, 2022
Gray Family Cemetery
Ismay, Montana 59336
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Friday March 4, 2022
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m.
Saturday March 5, 2022
Ismay Community Church
Ismay, Montana 59336
Interment
Following the Funeral Service
Saturday March 5, 2022
Gray Family Cemetery
Ismay, Montana 59336
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Shirley A Rolf says
Family, sorry for your loss of Bob!
Denise Harvey says
Dear family,
Bob will be missed and has left a wonderful legacy. And what a joyful reunion in heaven. May your find comfort in precious memories.
James L Arneson says
Richard, Karen and family, I send my deepest condolences to you all. I can’t count the times I have sat at your dad’s table or yours and visited, had coffee and listened to your dad talk about moving to the ranch who was older, John or him. The memories of stopping to ask permission to hunt go back to when I was 12 years old with my uncle’s. The kindness your family has shown my son’s and myself are the best of memories I will forever hold close to my heart. I pray God comforts you all now and always. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Chris and Diana Elwood says
Dear Gray Family, Chris and I are so sorry for your loss, a huge hole is left in your family, but Bob and Betty are finally back together. You are all in our prayers. Love you guys.
Kari Granmoe says
I am so sad to read of Bob’s passing. I remember him accidentally closing a heavy door on my fingers in the basement of the Ismay Church. He felt far worse than I did! Our goal as kids was always to ride from our place to Gray’s (Dad would point out their land as we checked cattle). I will remember Bob and Betty for their big smiles, and bigger kindness. Rest in peace, Bob. We all are just closing gates and bringing up the rear; we’ll be coming soon!
Doug Benge says
Bob,Rich and all family:
Very sorry to learn of Bob’s passing. He, Betty and all of you are a great family, were great clients and most importantly great friends. He will be missed. Best wishes.
Curt, Patsy Jeanne and Toby-Jeanne says
Bob had started a S.O.B. club that he was inordinately proud of: Sweet Old Bob, Sweet Old Betty, Sweet Old Buck and Sweet Old Bonnie. When a new pastor came to the Ismay Community Church, Bob was delighted to inform him that he was now a part of this elite group. Fortunately, Sweet Old Byrd has a great sense of humor.
The four original members are now reunited in the presence of their Lord and Savior. Bob will no longer be asking me, ” why couldn’t it have been me?” whenever a loved one is taken from us. He fought the last enemy, death, and now he leaves us to grieve….and laugh….as we celebrate the Bob Gray that we knew and loved.
He finally got to go home.
Jerry and Gayle Struck says
After doing business with the Gray family for many year, you would look forward to seeing Bob ,Betty or any of the rest of the family to just stop in to chat or catch up on what was going on at the ranch.
If you had the good fortune to have known this Montana rancher ,Bob Grey, you knew the real deal !
Dixie Rieger says
I am sad to see Bob passed. He was always fun to be around. Prayers and hugs sent to the family.
MARTHA CRANDALL says
My sympathy
Bob Clark says
Rich, Karen and family, So saddened to here of your familys loss, I so much enjoyed the conversations with your father Rich, He made me laugh when he would get on one of his rolls, He was always so kind to my self and Claire Bolto when we would during the hunting season. My son and his boys enjoyed Him and your Mother so much, So Sorry. There comes a time in all our lives when we all eventually need a peacefull rest and I am sure he is in a better rest ful place now, May He Rest in peace, We will all miss him, May the Lord be with your family . Bob and Connie Clark and Family
Mike Archdale says
Gray Family, so sorry to hear of your loss. Remember all the good times and all the laughs. I enjoyed every visit I had with Bob and Betty.
Sherry Oster says
Dear Gray Family,
So sorry for the loss of Bob! Such a genuine, nice man. Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; Love leaves a memory no one can steal. Hugs and prayers.
Larry Phalen says
Bob was always a pleasure to visit and laugh with. He and Betty did well with their time here on earth, raised a great family, left a wonderful legacy, were tremendous assets to the community and region. Sally and I send our love and condolences.
arlen and Alice Miller says
To Gray Family, Bob will be miss by many, aways enjoyed visiting with him. Prayers for all God Blessarlen
Holly Griebel-Askin Orr says
Always so kind to me ❤️
Jerry & Dianne Shumaker says
Nobody could ask for better neighbors than the Grays! They were at our place helping at every branding and every fall when working cattle for all the years we were on the ranch! Bob was a funny, special guy and will surely be missed by his family and all his neighbors!
Jim Rooney says
Another of “the kind you could count on” has gone. I’m sad with you for the loss of your dad. Hopefully it’s not goodby but see you later.
Mary Ottoy says
Gray Family,
My heartfelt sympathies. This is a hard one for me. I sure enjoyed this ole fella!!! Salt of the Earth, He was!! Rest assured…..he’s with the love of his life, making sure things are “just so”! Hugs and prayers to you all!
John and Nikki Brown says
We always enjoyed Bob and loved his wisdom and wit.
Condolences to all of his family.
Tanya Krummreich (Leland) says
Sending you all my deepest condolences on Bob’s passing. Dad and I were visiting over the weekend about the many years and countless fond memories in shared history with Bob and Betty. May the many wonderful memories bring you all peace and comfort.
Julia Hageman-Newman says
Bob will be missed. He was such a fun, intelligent, kind man! I loved to hear stories about the growing up years of the Hageman and Gray boys! What a wonderful legacy that Bob and Betty created with their three boys, Grand kids, and great grandkids. Thinking about all of you at this time! God Speed, Bob.
Caron Collins says
Bobby, Leslie and all the Family,
Very sorry about your Dad, Prayers for all the family
Jim & Marj Anderson says
Gray family
Sorry for your loss. Bob will be remembered as one of the greats from the Ismay area. He is reunited with his beloved Betty. God bless you all.
Tim and Diane Ehman says
One of the good guys! He was a very special man and we so enjoyed visiting with Betty and Bob and attending their brandings.
Patsy & Mike Davis says
Bob, Leslie, Rich, Karen and all the family,
Our sincere sympathy in the loss of your Dad and Grandad. Always enjoyed our visits with your folks over the years, and look at the legacy they left behind! Love and prayers to all!
Bill Huntzicker says
Bob and Betty Gray were two of my parents’ favorite people. They enjoyed the Masonic events, like the card games and picnics. The last time I saw Bob was several years ago. He was horseback at the rain-drenched first Joe Montana Day insisting that the parade go on, despite heavy rain. He pointed out individuals who had gathered in Ismay, said who they were, how far they had come, and described their expectations for the day. He wasn’t going to let anyone disappoint them; the parade went on. I think this incident demonstrates how quickly he befriended people and cared about them. Your loss is shared by the community.
Arlen and Alice Miller says
My Sincere sympathy to the Gary Family ,We went to the 4th July Rodeo went to eat ,meet up with Bob & Betty ,They said come sat with us So we eat & enjoyed our visit .Before we could pay for our meal Bob had already done it. He had a very kind heart for people , will always remember that family
A. J. Nelson says
Sorry for your loss.
Lynette & Dan O’Connor says
Gray families, we were sorry to hear of Bods passing! We enjoyed visiting with Bob and Betty at ball games and school functions over the years! Our thoughts and prayers!
Laura Booton says
Dear Gray family,
Words seem inadequate at a time like this to express my sadness of hearing of Bob’s passing. Bob had a gift for life, with his wit, intelligence, and ability to listen to people.
I am very sorry for your loss. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Lavonne Phalen says
Bob and Betty were good friends of my parents and people I always looked up to for their warmth and community involvement. When I decided I wanted to be married on a hillside here at the ranch, we turned to the Grays for a pit barbeque the made the whole event so special. They came back thirty years later and did a second one for Mark’s and my 30th anniversary. Homemakers Club, 4-H, Masonic events, and the beginnings and constant support of the Ismay Community Church, the Grays were always there to provide leadership and help of all sorts and to make the days more fun. They have always meant community and friendship, help and humor to me. It is impossible to think of one of them without the other. It gives me so much comfort and joy to think of them together again with all the hard times in their past.
Lynn and Judy Strobel says
Gray Family. We are so sorry for the loss of your dad (granddad). Bob was such a great fellow and an example for how we should want to live. My memories go all the way back to high school when he was a chaperone on an FFA trip to Kansas City. May you be comforted by his reunion with Betty and with our Lord.
Chad Murnin says
Dear Gray Family,
So sorry I couldn’t be there today for the celebration of Bob’s life. I have many great memories visiting with him after the Gray brandings, at fairs, and anywhere I ran into him. It was an honor and privilege to know him.
Chad and Stephanie Murnin family
Jace Thompson says
Gray family.So sorry for your loss. Bob was a great man who raised a wonderful family with betty. I have the utmost respect for him and what he accomplished in this life . And have the utmost respect and love for his wonderful family. I appreciate all the great talks and wisdom bob passed to me over that kitchen table. Will never be forgotten.And we will continue to pray for your family that God will comfort all of you through these hard times.