Donald Wayne “Don” Gray

Donald “Don” Gray, 86, of Moorhead, MN, passed away on Thursday, October 15, 2020, in River Pointe Senior Living, Moorhead, MN.

Don was one of four sons born to John and Dorothy (Nafziger) in a home south of Twin Valley, MN, December 13, 1934. When he was nine years old, he moved with his family to a farm west of Twin Valley. He was baptized and confirmed in Trinity Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, MN. As a boy, Don was active in 4H and in school. Besides playing football, basketball, and running track, he was on the student council, sang in choir, acted in class plays, participated on the school paper, and a National Honor Society. He graduated from Twin Valley High School in 1952.

Don left his home area following graduation from high school to pursue his education and military obligations. He attended and graduated from Pacific Lutheran College, Parkland, WA, in 1956, and then went on to serve his country joining the United States Army, serving a tour in Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1958.

The following years, Don’s career took him to several cities within the Midwest as well as traveling to others for pleasure. He retired early and returned to Moorhead, MN, summer of 1989.

Don kept himself well informed on all topics. He was a voracious reader, spending weekday mornings at the Moorhead Public Library devouring all newspapers and weekly and monthly periodicals. He thoroughly enjoyed watching and keeping statistics on the Vikings, the Twins, and the Red Hawks. Basketball was a favorite also. He was also noted to drive to the Industrial Park in south Moorhead to walk and visit. Don was a good listener having the ability to draw information from those he spoke without offering much of himself. This soft-spoken man, always willing to help others, will be missed.

Don is survived by his nephew, Bradley (Sheila) Gray; nieces, Kathy (Jon) Holman, Kari (Tim) Wegenast; great-nieces, Stephany Wegenast and Nicole (John) Wymore; great-great-nephews, Kobie Irwin, John Dean Wymore, and Logan Wymore; and sister-in-law, Wanda Gray. He was preceded in death by his parents, John, and Dorothy; and siblings, John D. “Jack”, 2008, David L., 2016, and Duane Gray, 2020.

In lieu of flowers, memorial are preferred to Dementia/Alzheimer’s Association, Hospice, or a charity of your choice.

Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M., followed by the funeral service at 10:00 A.M., Monday, October 26, 2020, at Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN. Burial will be at Twin Valley Memorial Gardens, Twin Valley, MN, following the service. A livestream of the service will be available on his webpage at www.wrightfuneral.com where a video tribute and guestbook may also be found.