Robert Gray Sr.

Robert “Curly” R. Gray Sr., age 88 of Glen Oak was surrounded by his loving family before he got on board the Chicago Northwestern Train Car to Heaven with Jesus’ All Aboard Call on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. Born to Carl and Ella (Ross) Gray on May 31, 1937 in Montello; he married Kay Fuller on March 5, 1960 in Dubuque, Iowa and together they were blessed with four children. As a young man, Bob started his own business delivering freight to stores in Montello. He then got his Master Plumber’s License and began doing sewer construction as well as having his own excavating business. In his later years, he started a green house and sold plants at Gray’s Farm Market (now The Garden Center) as well as had his own repair shop; doing work for local farmers and businesses.

In 1996, he and Kay moved to Arkansas and returned to Glen Oak in 2018. In retirement, he enjoyed repairing lawnmowers and woodworking. Bob will be remembered for his contagious smile, dry sense of humor and the love he had for his family that will be forever in everyone’s heart that knew him.

Bob is survived by his wife of 65 years, Kay and four children: Robert Jr. (Kathy) of Princeton, Mary (Paul) Dahlke of Montello, David (Donna) of Ohio and Dennis (Shelley) of Montello as well as his sister, Diane (Lynn) Dhein of Columbus. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Elizabeth (Noah) Buchholz, Jonothan (Paige) Dahlke, Justin Gray, Gavin Gray and Ella Gray along with three great-grandsons: Eli, Hayes and Brooks Buchholz as well as other extended family members.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents, siblings: Russell (Donna), Donald (Mabel), Graydon (Lorraine), Donna Jean Gray, Joan (Ernest) Schmitz.

There will be no service at this time. A celebration of life is being planned for the spring.

Our sincere thanks to Koryn, Darla, Mary and Theresa from CHCC in Wyocena for their friendship, love, kindness and excellent care of Curly while he was with them.

Crawford Funeral and Cremation Service of Montello and Oxford is honored to be serving the family. www.CrawfordFH.com