Gray, Jerome Allen

Jerome Allen Gray, 45, of Lone Tree, passed away Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010, at the Lone Tree American Legion. Pastor Al Coffin of the Columbus Junction United Methodist Church and Russ Forbes of Lone Tree will officiate the services. Full military rites will be provided by the Lone Tree American Legion Post 457. Following the services, a time of food and fellowship will be held at the Lone Tree American Legion. Casket bearers will be Scott Gray, Todd Gray, Joseph Williams, Alex Buffington, Luke Williams, Brenton Gray, Skip Morrison and Courtney Gray. Honorary casket bearers will be Tyler Gray, Benjamin Gray and Brad Lamp. Visitation for Jerome will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, at the Sorden-Lewis Home for Funeral and Cremation Services in Lone Tree.

A memorial fund has been established at the funeral home in memory of Jerome.

Online condolences may be sent to the Gray family at www.lewisfuneralhomes.com

Jerome Allen Gray was born on May, 13 1965, at Washington County Hospital in Washington, Iowa, the son of Robert Gray Sr. and Terry K. (Bright, Gray) Higgins. On Sept. 5, 1986, Jerome was united in marriage to Elaine Gloria De Los Reyes in the Philippines. Jerome served his country in the United States Marine Corps from 1983 until 2000 and was a veteran of the Gulf War. He was honored with four Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medals. Jerome was very proud to be a part of the JAWS program. He was employed at Randy Kuehl Honda as the Parts and Service Director. He was a member of the Lone Tree Chamber of Commerce, the Lone Tree American Legion and the Columbus Junction United Methodist Church.

Every year he volunteered at many events, including the I-80 cleanup and the MDA program. During Thanksgiving, he would provide dinner for those without a place to go. Jerome enjoyed his “toys” including souped up golf carts and race cars. He liked to golf, bowl, dance, play blackjack and Pai Gow poker. He was an avid Dallas Cowboys and Jeff Gordon fan. Jerome loved watching others have fun. He was known as the “peacemaker” and the “cruise director” for his ability to solve any problem and handle any situation. Most of all, Jerome loved being with his family.

Jerome will be deeply missed by his wife, Elaine Gray of Lone Tree; his son, Scott Gray and his future wife, Whitney and his future grandchild; his father, Robert Gray Sr. of Muscatine; his mother, Terry K. Higgins and her husband, Kenneth of Fulton, Mo.; his siblings, Robert Gray Jr. and his companion, Cindy Ruckles of Muscatine, Nikkolas Gray and his wife, Amy of Lake Zurich, Ill., and Stephanie Williams and her fiance, Sylvan Baye of Lone Tree; his grandfather, Bo Morrison of Columbus Junction; his friend and uncle, Skip Morrison; his friend, Brad Lamp of Iowa City; his great-nephew, Chase of Hills; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family; and his pets, Lace, Journey, Little Girl, Julian, Laverne, Lenny, Squiggy, Dimitri and Sebastian.

Jerome was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Kathryn Morrison; paternal grandparents, Robert L. and Marcella Gray; one uncle, Scott Gray; and one aunt, Pat O'Donnell.