David was born on October 18, 1956, in Saint Paul, MN, to Rosemary (Robertson) and Paul Gray. He was the fourth born child of seven siblings. He grew up in Saint Paul where his love for hockey and the Minnesota Vikings was born and developed. In 1971, at the age of 15, he moved with his family to Texas. He graduated from Denison High School and was a proud Yellow Jacket football fan. David was a hard worker having been employed by Hitchcock Industries and Kaiser Aluminum. He was fondly known to his friends and co-workers as "Yankee." He loved playing softball and umpiring baseball games in the Texoma Area where he formed many long lasting friendships. David never met a stranger and always told jokes - no matter how bad the joke was or who it was to! He always had a joke ready for you.

In 1978, he met and married his "beautiful bride" the love of his life, Kathy McKee, in Denison, TX. Together, they raised their two sons, Little David and Chris, in a loving home. He adored his boys. He would tell them they could ride their bikes wherever they wanted to as long as they were home before their mom got home from work. "Don't tell your mom!" was a phrase he told them frequently to keep their secrets just between the boys. David taught both of the boys how to fish. He especially loved to take his family on yearly trips to Roaring River State park in Missouri for their annual trout fishing vacation. He enjoyed going to Dallas Stars and Allen Americans hockey games with his family, passing along his passion for hockey to his boys and to his grandkids.

In 2010, David became a beloved "PawPaw" to his first granddaughter, Kinsey. Within a few years, he had four more grandchildren to spoil - Katelyn, Brayden, Connor, and Emma. His five grandchildren were the apple of his eye. He always had a bag of candy ready for them. He often looked after them while their parents worked, even taking them to the Dollar Store with $5 to spend. He was their favorite babysitter and playmate, and he loved them dearly. David loved rock and roll music, especially Pink Floyd and the Beatles. He always was playing his music for his grandkids, passing along his love for Bon Jovi as he drove them to McDonald's.

David's presence in our lives brought immeasurable joy, love, and laughter. For that, we are forever grateful.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife; Kathy Gray of Denison, TX, his children; David Gray Jr. & Misty of Denison, TX, Chris Gray & Jennifer of Denison, TX. his two sisters; Lisa Butler & Chris of Ft. Worth, TX and Linda Lowther of Emory, TX, three brothers; Jim Gray & Joyce of Denison, TX, Jeff Gray & Sally of Denison, TX, Doug Gray & Joyce of Plano, TX, five grandchildren; Kinsey, Katelyn Brayden, Connor, Emma, other extended family and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; Paul and Rosemary Gray and his sister; Jane Orr.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, January 12, 2024, 2:00 P.M. at Chapel on The Hill, Cedarlawn Cemetery, Sherman, TX with Richard Gage officiating. Interment will follow.  Pallbearers will be David Gray, Chris Gray, Jim Gray, J.F. Eskue, Don Eskue and Randy Tew.