Kenneth Allan Gray

     Kenneth Allan Gray, age 66, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Thursday, September 5, 2024, at his home in the company of family.
     Cremation has taken place. There will be a Celebration of Life at The Emerald Golf Course, St. Johns, MI, on Thursday, September 12, 2024. The family will greet guests beginning at 4:00 P.M., with a memorial service beginning at 5:00 P.M. with Pastor Kathy Leydorf-Keck officiating.
     Ken was born in Mt. Frere, South Africa on March 6, 1958, the son of Forrest Burton and Minnie Mae (Murray) Gray. He was the eighth of ten children. Ken was always very invested in family and took his role as an uncle very seriously. A fixture in the family group chat or at family functions, he was always quick to make others laugh or jump into and help in the kitchen. A lover of many sports, Ken was an avid golfer. He was a fan of basketball, particularly Hoosier basketball, soccer, golf, and even sailing.  In a family full of ornithologists, Ken prided himself on always being the first to spot the first Robin of spring, though often he found it necessary to disqualify others on "technicalities."
     Ken was a long time resident of St Johns and spent more than four decades working at Mahle. He is survived by his siblings: Nancy Coetzee of Johannesburg, South Africa; Flo Laros and Richard Hawkins of Dothan, AL; Jean and Joe Pendleton of St. Johns, MI; Beth and John Sayler of La Vale, Maryland; Leonard and Lori Gray of Rodney, MI; and Leslie and Emily Gray of Tawas City, MI. He is also survived by nieces and nephews: Deb, Tim, Fabian, Caroline, Jonathan, Jason, Jennifer, Fred, Vinnie, Sammi Jo, Justin, Lauren, April, and Becca; along with their spouses and numerous great- nieces and great-nephews. He is also survived by many close friends from work and the golf course, including good friend Larry Luttig.
     We remember Ken's brother and sister Vinnie age 7 and Susie age 5, who disappeared in Pondoland, South Africa in 1961. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Forrest, and his niece Tracie.
     In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials may be made in Ken’s name to The American Cancer Society. Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.