Delbert Carroll Gray Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Delbert Carroll Gray, age 78, of Lovilia, passed away on December 22, 2016, at Accura Health Care of Knoxville in Knoxville, Iowa. Delbert was born on December 10, 1938, to Oral and Francis (Gladson) Gray. He graduated from Lovilia High School with the class of 1956. He was united in marriage in March 1959 to Shirley Walter. To this union, three children were born, Brad, Shelli, and Lisa. Delbert and Shirley shared 57 years of marriage prior to his passing. Delbert was a farmer and raised cattle nearly all of his life, which he enjoyed. Some of the land that he farmed was homesteaded by his family in 1855. Delbert was a Cedar Township trustee for 48 years and was a member of the Monroe County Cattlemen’s Association. He enjoyed pheasant and quail hunting, raising cattle, his Tennessee Walking horses, going to sales, playing black jack at casinos, watching westerns and ball games on television, and talking politics and his dog, Lady. Delbert is survived by his wife, Shirley Gray of Lovilia; his children, Brad (Denise) Gray of Albia, Shelli (Kevin) Parmenter of Overland Park, KS, and Lisa (Brian) Scala of Albia; seven grandchildren, Kaley, Ethan, and Caleb Gray, Kyle and Kelsi Parmenter, and Brooke and Emily Scala; one niece, Jill Bonnett and her daughter, Jessy; and a very good childhood buddy, Jim Beary. Delbert is preceded in death by his parents, Oral and Francis; and a sister, Marlene Sampson. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 28, 2016, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Pastor Brad Gray officiating. Burial will follow services at Woodlawn Cemetery in Lovilia. Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 27, 2016, at Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Delbert’s family present throughout the day and evening to greet friends and family. Delbert's family encourages anyone attending to please wear flannel or plaid shirts to the visitation in Delbert's honor. Memorials have been established to the Monroe County Cattlemen’s Association.

Delbert Carroll Gray

December 10, 1938 - December 22, 2016