Earl E. Gray, of Moscow, died Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010, at his home. He was 81. Earl was born Jan. 30, 1929, in Milliken, Colo. He grew up there, graduating from high school at Johnston, Colo.
Earl joined the U.S. Navy in 1946 and served aboard the USS Fulton.
He and Marjorie Wormington were married in Reno, Nev., Aug. 5, 1949.
Following his discharge from the Navy, they moved to Fort Collins, Colo., for Earl to go to college at Colorado A&M. The Navy called him back to active duty during the Korean War and he served as a submarine tender in Connecticut and Philadelphia. They returned to Fort Collins, where Earl graduated with his degree in electrical engineering.
He was offered a position with General Electric in Syracuse, N.Y., then taught at Michigan Tech in Houghton, Mich. They returned to Fort Collins, where he taught at what is now Colorado State University before accepting a position as professor at University of Idaho in 1962. He retired after more than 30 years of teaching at UI.
Earl enjoyed golfing and was a member of the Moscow Elks and Golf Club. He also enjoyed hunting, reading, archery, fishing and walking.
Surviving are his wife of nearly 62 years, Marjorie, at their home; a son, Lon Gray of Chula Vista, Calif.; and a daughter, Mildred Simpson of Arlington, Texas. Earl also leaves four grandchildren and a great-grandson. He was preceded in death by his brother, William R. Gray, and a sister, Marjorie Gray.
A celebration of Earl's life will be conducted at noon Tuesday at the Moscow Elks Golf Course Club House. Friends are encouraged to share a memory of Earl and join the family at one of his favorite places.
The family suggests memorials be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Short's Funeral Chapel of Moscow and online condolences may be sent to www.shortsfuneralchapel.net.
