Paul Gray

Paul Stanley Gray, age 84, of Faribault, MN, passed away at the Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis on November 5, 2014, with the same peacefulness, grace, and dignity in which he lived his life, surrounded by his loving family.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 10, 2014, at 3:00 p.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Faribault, with Rev. Ashley Osborn, officiating. Interment will be at the Meadow Ridge Memorial Park in Faribault, with military honors provided by the Rice County Central Veterans Association. A reception will follow at the East Wing of the Faribault Elks Club.

Visitation will be held on Monday from 12:30 - 3:00 p.m. at the church.

Arrangements are with the Parker Kohl Funeral Home of Faribault.

Paul Stanley was born on December 20, 1929 in Northfield, MN to Edwin Forest and May Atoinette (Courier) Gray. He attended Northfield Schools and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Paul was held as a Prisoner of War for 33 months, which was a tremendous influence in providing the inner strength he carried with him throughout his life. He was previously married to Jeanne McGinnis for 25 years and they raised five children. After his military service, Paul was educated at Dunwoody Institute. He was a contractor, developer, and restaurant franchisor for 58 years. He was a self-employed building contractor in Faribault from 1956 - 1982. He then with his sons, Steve and Paul, formed Gray Companies, Inc, and he retained the position of CEO for many years. Paul also was Exec. Vice President of North Central Food Systems Inc. (Hardee's Franchise) since 1972. He was very modest and respected businessman, often giving back to his community, and had a high degree of quality in the work he produced. Paul left a lasting impression with those he mentored, his colleagues, and his friends. He was a member of the Faribault Lions Club, Elks Club, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1562.

Paul was married to Sally Jo Bailey for nearly 25 years. They had a wonderful marriage and loved to travel to many parts of the world. His farming roots helped his passion for the outdoors, which led him to create a wildlife habitat for many to enjoy. He was a tremendous role model for his children, creating many experiences and opportunities for them to love hunting, fishing, skiing, golfing, and traveling.

He is survived by his loving wife, Sally Gray; children, Paul A. (Julie) Gray, Steve M. (Cindy) Gray, John P. Gray, Kevin F. (Heidi) Gray, and Kathy (Jerry) Smith; step-children, Jason A. (Steffany) Kindseth and Heather L. (Aaron) Wutschke; grandchildren, Paul J., Tara, Brandon, Alyssa, Aaron, Eliza, Travis and Megan Gray, Katlyn Smith, Boone and Sloan Kindseth, and Raini Wutschke; three great grandchildren; sisters, Arlene Huss and Marjorie Cox; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and May; brothers, William, John (Art), and Edwin Gray; sisters, Betty Stratton, Ella Mae, and Marie Dotterweich.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Alzheimer's Foundation of America in memory of Paul at www.alzfdn.org