Obituary
Floyd Lee Gray
Floyd Lee Gray, 86, died peacefully at Eagle Crest South, La Crosse Wisconsin, on Sunday, May 8th, 2022 with family at his side.
Lee Gray was born the first of three (Lee, Curt and Ellen) to Gladys and Clinton Gray in 1936. Lee graduated with honors from Waupun high school in 1954. While in high school he enrolled and served in the National Guard. He continued his service with the Guard through college. He attended college at U.W. Madison where he earned a degree in mechanical engineering and graduated with honors in 1958.
In 1956 Lee was re-acquainted with a high school friend (Marie LaVonne Mickelson) and in 1957 they married. In 1958 they began building a family, eventually having three children, Janet, Steve, and Jackie.
In 1960 Lee started a long and distinguished career with General Electric (GE). His accomplishments at GE included multiple awards for engineering excellence and ingenuity, nine patents, and managing the mechanical team that developed the CAT scan systems, MRI, and heart catheter machines for GE. He retired from GE in 2000 only to be asked to come back as a contractor for the next year.
But the man that he was goes so far beyond these simple dates and facts. His hobbies included target shooting, hunting, fishing, windsurfing, skiing, woodworking, camping, flying radio-controlled airplanes, golfing, watching the Green Bay Packers, restoring cars, and fixing anything and everything. Lee was selfless with his time and talents and quick to lend a helping hand. Whether it was a friend, a relative, a neighbor, the neighborhood pool, or our church. People instinctively sought his advice.
Above all, Lee was a devoted husband, loving father/grandpa/great-grandpa and loyal friend. He will be most remembered, respected, and admired for his kind heart, ‘Gray’ sense of humor, huge smile, ingenuity, generosity, strength, honesty, brilliance, integrity, and much, much more. He is loved dearly by his family and all who knew him and while this transition is difficult for us all, we will see him again.
Lee is survived by his loving wife, Marie; his children: Janet Myers (Roger), Steve Gray (Marsha) and Jackie Kakuska (Tim); five grandchildren: Tim, Liz, Ben, Alex and Morgan; and four great-grandchildren: Tanner, Alexandra, Aaron and Delaney. He is survived by his brother Curt Gray.
Lee is preceded in death by his parents, Gladys and Clinton Gray and his sister Ellen Redeker.
A special thanks to all the caretakers at Eagle Crest North and South for their kind and compassionate care of Lee in memory care for the last six years. Additionally, we want to thank the Gundersen Hospice team who helped Lee and his family through this final transition.
Family and friends are invited to attend Lee’s Celebration of Life on Thursday, May 19th, 2022 at 3:00 pm at The Gathering Place, 133 Mason St., Onalaska, WI. A visitation will be held from 2:00 pm until the time of the service on Thursday. A reception dinner will follow immediately after the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family to be donated to the Alzheimer’s foundation or charity of your choice.
Please click here to view The tribute video for Floyd Lee Gray
So very sorry for everyone’s loss
Thank you so much Jill. I know you and Ben would have come to the service if you were able. It was a beautiful tribute to his life.
Sending our deepest condolences! Uncle Lee was a wonderful person and he was deeply loved. May all the wonderful memories be a source of comfort at this time.
With love,
Robyn, Randy, Hanah & Tavin
Thank you Robin for your kind words. I’m so happy that you and Aunt Arlene were able to attend the service and Uncle Gary was able to view it via zoom.
Our hearts grieve at the passing of Lee. He was a kind, gentle man who loved his family and would help anyone who asked him. He had so many talents from repairing a car to windsurfing. He was a neighbor and the father of our sister-in-law. Heaven has welcomed Lee to his new home. May God comfort his family at this time.
Sending our condolences. He was a wonderful man and an amazing uncle to me. He taught me to filet fish, gave great tips on windsurfing, could fix anything…. And always kept us laughing!
A very special man, and I know he’ll have a very special place in heaven.
Thank you, Stacey, for your kind words. He definitely was a very special man! I think we are all just a little bit better for having known him. Hope all is well with you, Ray, and the family. Love you guys.
To my long distance next door neighbor…
My heart is heavy, but I know there’s relief. I have so many great memories of “my other Dad”….. “Uh, Mr. Gray, we don’t like the Ajuga either.”.(plant reference)… Great memories of your dad working on that Datsun… the neighbor hood parties… trip to Florida in the Ford…
So many wonderful things to be thankful to be part of your lives for so many years!
Much love…. Susie Simons
Sorry to hear of uncle Lee’s passing. I remember the broken kitchen table at grandma Gray’s house. Comedy induced! Got to know him best while building grandma’s garage in my adult years.
Keep smiling,
Jeff & Kelly Gray
Thank you, Jeff, for your condolences. I understand you were in Australia at the time of his funeral. Hope it went well. It was nice reminiscing about Dad and catching up with your parents. Take care.
Jackie,
May you find peace as your Dad is now at rest. His soul still alive in you. You were always so proud of your Dad. May that proud spirit continue to flow through you. Each day is a new day. Prayers to you and your family to celebrate his life and continue to find gratitude every day. Life is short. Love and live on as he would tell you to do. Love to Marie and the rest of your family. Your forever friend -Love Janet and fam
Thank you so much, Janet, for your touching words. I completely agree that he lives on through me and anyone else that knew him. With love, Jackie and family.
Lee was a wonderful man; he was like a brother to us. We had so many enjoyable times together. We miss him very much but he’ll live on in our hearts.
Love,
Gary & Arlene
I have so many wonderful memories of my brother-in-law, Lee. Although we lived quite a distance from him and his family, they always came to visit us and we went back to Wisconsin as often as we could. He was a wonderfully unique individual who added his special brand of humor to any gathering. My family and I loved him very much and we will always miss him.
With much love to Marie and family,
“Big Jan”
Thank you so much, Aunt Jan, for your beautiful message. I’m so glad you were able to make it to Wisconsin for the service and extended visit. You and mom definitely seemed to have a good time catching up! It was so good to see you. Hoping we can make it to Colorado for a visit soon. Much love, Jackie and mom.