Milton R. "Milt" Gray, 84, bid farewell to this life on April 23, 2009, as a result of complications from Parkinson's disease.
Born March 18, 1925 in Alluwe, OK to Reverend Wm. J. and Mary Reese Gray, as the son of a Methodist minister, he spent his formative years in many small Oklahoma towns. After graduating from high school in Stilwell, OK, he began his formal education at Northeastern State University, later attending Texas A&M for a short time before graduating from O.U. with a degree in psychology.
As a WWII veteran, he served in the U.S. Army and at the time of his honorable discharge was a medic attached to the dispensary at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
After a two-year engagement, Milt married the former Bettye Jayne Dean of Oklahoma City where they made their home. His easy-going personality, generosity, consideration and unquestionable love, were all qualities which helped ground their marriage of 62 years.
Milt received excellent sales training the five years he spent at National Cash Register Co., which he believed was essential in pursuing his goal of becoming a pharmaceutical representative. He was among the first to be recruited by Geigy Pharmaceuticals (now Novartis) to represent the company in Oklahoma. He loved his work, evident by the fact that he remained there for 32 years. Milt had an exceptional rapport with the doctors and druggists on whom he called, many becoming close longtime friends. Having never met a stranger, Milt was always surrounded by friends and had an uncanny ability to attract the love, admiration and friendship from people of all age groups.
He valued all of his friendships, including those at Guaranty Bank (now Coppermark) where, on a whim, he took a temporary part-time job after retirement, which lasted nine years.
Milt embraced the teachings of the 10th & Shartel Church of God, where he was married and reared his children. He later attended its mission church, Belle Isle Community, now known as Crossings Community Church, and he worshipped there until his health failed. He honored God not only with his life, but with his time and talents; serving as a choir member, Sunday School teacher, member and past president of the Board of Directors. After retirement, he volunteered in numerous capacities from rocking babies in the church nursery to delivering mobile meals to the elderly.
The empty-nester years were some of his happiest. Cruises, vacations here and abroad, as well as motoring trips with close friends all served to make Milt's desire to travel a reality.
He will be remembered by his family for his incessant humor, his ability to recall with extraordinary detail events from decades past, and his relaxed view of his own talents while praising and boasting about those of his family and friends.
His legacy is carried on by his wife Bettye; his children Reese (and wife Ella) of Stillwater, Gregory of St. John, US Virgin Islands, and Bettye Kaye (and husband Mitch) of Edmond; grandchildren Christopher, Kaili, Daniel, Harrison, and Reade; great grandchildren Alana, Grayson, and Leila; and a loyal cast of close friends and admirers.
The family would like to recognize and thank Hospice of Oklahoma County, with a special thanks to Brandi Becker and Dr. V. Ramgopal.
Memorials may be made to Parkison's Foundation of the Heartland, 1000 W. Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 364, OKC 73110, or to Crossings Community Church Building Fund.
Services will be held on Monday, April 27, at 2 PM at Crossings Community Church, 14600 N. Portland, OKC.