GRAY, Waldo Ernest - b. June 18, 1920

Tuesday, January 11, 2000
Independence Daily Reporter

Waldo Ernest Gray, 79, of Howard, died Monday at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Howard United Methodist Church, with Rev. Kibum Kim officiating. Military graveside services and interment will be held at Grace Lawn Cemetery in Howard.

Visitation will be at the Zimmerman Funeral Home of Howard today until 9:00 p.m. A memorial has been established with the Howard Senior Center and contributions may be left with the funeral home.

Mr. Gray was born on June 18, 1920 on the family farm near Howard to Asmar and Beryl J. (Ernest) Gray. He graduated from Howard High School in 1941.

He enlisted in the United States Navy and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II . On October 18, 1944, he married Neva J. Bennett, who survives, in Emporia. After he was discharged from the military in 1947, the couple made their home in Howard. The couple had two children. Trudi Dilli of Wichita, and John Gray of Towanda.

Mr. Gray owned and operated Waldo's Barber Shop in Howard for more than 50 years and was an active member of the community. He was a life member of the VFW Post 1186 at Independence and a member of American Legion Cater-Rader Post 149 at Howard. He was also a member of the Kansas Barber Association, the Howard Chamber of Commerce and the Howard United Methodist Church.

In addition to his wife and children, he is also survived by a brother, Jack Gray, of Howard, a sister, Reba Ashley, of Fredonia; eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and two step-great- grandchildren.

Note: The obituary in the newspaper gives 1994 as the year of their marriage. This was an error, so I changed it to 1944, which is more logical.