Harold "Hal" Gray

OTTAWA - Harold "Hal" Gray, age 85, of Ottawa and West Palm Beach, Florida, passed away Saturday, August 20, 2011 in Ottawa. Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 27th at Gladfelter Funeral Home with Pastor Peter Ward officiating. Interment will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park with military rites by the Ottawa Veterans Organization. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. till 11:00 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Paget Foundation for Paget's Disease of Bone and Related Disorders, 120 Wall Street, Suite 1602, New York, NY 10005-4035 or the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 8th Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001. Harold was born May 14, 1926 in Ottawa, Illinois, to John Ernest and Mildred Inez (Grady) Gray. In 1963 he married Judy Maddox in Atlanta, Georgia. He is survived by his wife, Judy; a son, Jeffery John (Maja) Gray; a daughter, Nora Alison (Jack David) Gray Rees; and granddaughters, Emily Nicole Rees and Alison Marie Rees of Centerville, Ohio. Harold also leaves a cousin, Fred W. Gray. He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother, John E. Gray, Jr.; and sisters, Mary Catherine Gray Lenac and Elaine Gray Fowler. Harold graduated from Ottawa Township High School in 1944. He was proficient in track, receiving a scholarship to Illinois Wesleyan University. However, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps, serving his country from 1944 to 1946. He was a member of American Legion Post 33 in Ottawa. Following his military service, he attended Illinois Wesleyan and joined Sigma Chi Fraternity, becoming a lifelong loyal Sig. Hal graduated with degrees in economics and philosophy. He attended law school at Valparaiso University and earned a Doctorate of Juris Prudence. After completing his education, Harold was employed by State Farm Insurance Company and relocated to Florida. He began his legal career in Miami as a trial lawyer for the Florida East Coast Railroad. While in Miami in the 1960's, Harold was active in the Bachelor's Club, serving on the Board of Directors. For the past forty-nine years, Harold served as counsel / business advisor to W. H. DuPont. He served on the Board of Directors for many companies and traveled worldwide with an interest in international law. Harold will be missed by his many friends and colleagues who depended on his keen intellect and ability to resolve problems. He never met a stranger and was an inspiration to all who treasured his friendship. He was the "Wind Beneath the Wings" of his family and life-long friends.