Wray, Major Robert S. Ret.

Major Robert S. Wray, Ret., 95, of Cedar Rapids, died Friday, April 27, 2012, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy. Services: 11 a.m. Tuesday at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories by Sister Mary Lou Podzimek. Interment: Swedesburg Cemetery, Swedesburg. A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.

Bob is survived by his son, Col. David (Frieda) Wray of Fallbrook, Calif.; and his daughter, Jan (Perry) Walton of Marion; five grandchildren, Alisa and Tapiana Wray, Gina and Shawn Holman and Randy Walton; four great-grandchildren; nephew, Carl (Maribelle) Lund; and niece, Carol (David) Pitts.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marie; parents; and sister, Rowena.

Bob was born Oct. 9, 1916, in Milton, Iowa, to Ed and Grace Wray Tackelson. He attended Iowa Wesleyan College, Mount Pleasant on a football scholarship before enlisting in the Army Air Corps before World War II. As an aviation pioneer, he courted his college sweetheart, Marie Lund, by landing his airplane on country roads and pastures. They married on Sept. 9, 1939, in Swedesburg, and immediately departed for duty in the Philippines. Lt. Wray became the Commanding Officer of the 34th Pursuit Squadron, flying P40s. He was General Wainwright's Air Officer, Provost Marshall and photography officer for Clark and Nichols Field in the Philippines.

On April 9, 1942, American and Filipino troops on the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines surrendered to the Japanese which set the stage for The Bataan Death March. Bob was one of the few survivors and remained a prisoner for over three and a half years. After spending a year and a half recovering from his near death experience, Major Wray retired honorably with a medical discharge. He received several awards and medals including the Silver Star and Purple Heart.

He became a corporate pilot for LaPlant - Choate Manufacturing Co. and later was employed by Iowa Manufacturing Co. (Howard Hall) as assistant to the president and corporate pilot, retiring in his 70s. During this time, he was on the Cedar Rapids Airport Commission.

Bob enjoyed his time mowing the Marion Airport, owned by his daughter and son-in-law, critiquing airplanes taking off and landing. He will be missed by all.

The family wants to thank the Hospice House of Mercy and all their friends for their concerns and thoughtfulness.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Online condolences may be sent to under obituaries.

Published in The Gazette April 29, 2012.