Biography

Hayward Lindell Gray was born in Simpson, Illinois on January 28, 1921, son of Roy and Bessie Gray.  He died on June 22, 2008 at the age of 87½.

Hayward and Janet Lea Gundelfinger were married on October 20, 1940.  Hayward and Jan were married over 67½ years.

Hayward and Janet have four children, eight grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren (with one more due in a month).  They also have three son-in-laws, one daughter-in-law, and six grandson-in-laws.

Hayward grew up on a farm.  He worked his way through college in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.  He met Janet Lea Gundelfinger while working as a soda jerk.

Hayward and Janet settled in St. Louis, Missouri, where all four children were born.  He worked for Pevely Dairy and Jefferson Electric before joining Doug Huggins in Huggins Gray Associates, reps in the plastics industry.  Doug and Hayward were later joined by Ward Overall -- Huggins Gray Overall Associates.  The Grays moved to Dallas in the early 1960's.

Religion always played a very important part in Hayward's life; he was a member of Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church.

Called PaPa by grandchildren, great grandchildren, and assorted others, Hayward "PaPa" was a sweet man who was loved by everyone.  He loved his family, and they loved him!

Hayward spent a lot of time in recent years at the Richardson Senior Center where he enjoyed many wonderful friendships.

Hayward loved to fish for bass, and he managed to catch some really big ones.  Hayward loved Dallas Mavericks basketball and Dallas Cowboys football.  He loved playing pool, shuffleboard, and dominos at the Richardson Senior Center.  He played the guitar and loved to sing gospel songs and old country songs.  He was especially good at the sound effects on Wabash Cannonball.

Hayward loved trains, and if he could have done anything else in his career, he would have enjoyed being a train engineer.

Hayward loved to eat.  Blue Bell Ice Cream, El Fenix Mexican Food, and Dickey's Barbecue were his favorites...though he could be just as happy eating a bologna sandwich prepared by volunteers at the Richardson Senior Center.  He also loved cooking out; mixed grill was his specialty.

Hayward loved to tell jokes.  No one enjoyed his jokes more than he did.

Hayward had a stroke on June 10, 2008.  He died on June 22, 2008 at Life Care Hospital in Plano, Texas. 

Hayward L. Gray's funeral will be held at 11 am on Saturday, June 28, 2008 at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, 9800 Preston Road, Dallas, Texas 75230.  Telephone: 214-368-6348.

Click here for a map and directions to Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church.