Fred Gray

GRAY, Fred E., age 85, of Fairfield, another American hero, passed away Sunday, January 11, 2009. He was born in Middletown, Ohio on October 14, 1923, the son of Charles E. and Frieda (Eichler) Gray. A graduate of Hamilton High School, he later attended Purdue University. He enlisted in the U S Army Air Corps. on May 2,1942. Fred was a B-17 Pilot. He flew air offensive in Europe, Normandy and Northern France, including at least four sortees over Normandy on D-Day. He received the Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters and the European – African – Middle Eastern Ribbon with 3 Bronze Stars. 1st Lieutenant Gray, U S Army Air Corps., was discharged with honor on June 29, 1945. On December 29, 1949 he was united in marriage to Dorothy Jane Smith. He was an engineer, retiring from Ford Motor Company. Fred was a lifetime member of the Elks and a member of the VFW Post # 1069 for many years. Survivors include his daughter, Marian Gray; son , Fred L. “Butch” (Sandra) Gray; two grandchildren, Scott Gray and Emily Gray Cordray; two great grandsons, Blake Gray and Orion Pullins; two sisters, Barbara Bogan and Phyllis (Jim Parler) Hamilton; sister-in-law, Margaret (William) Kenny; numerous beloved nieces and nephews and many friends who became family. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Dorothy Jane Gray. Funeral service will be Twelve Noon Friday, January 16, 2009 at the Colligan Funeral Home, 437 S. 3rd Street, Hamilton. Interment with Military Services at Rose Hill Burial Park. Visitation will be Thursday from 6-8 PM at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to Crossroads Hospice, 9912 Carver Road, Suite 101 , Cincinnati, Ohio 45242. www.colliganfuneralhome.com/