Obituary of Joseph Leon Gray

Joseph Leon Gray Sr., age 89 of Upper Chichester, PA passed away on December 25, 2018, at Kindred Hospital. Born and raised in Marcus Hook, PA, Joseph resided most of his life in Upper Chichester. A supervisor, Joseph worked for FMC and Cyklop Strapping, retiring in 1982 and served in the Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict. Above all he loved his family and God and always made sure that he told his family members that he loved them whenever they would leave the house. After his retirement, he became the best stay-at-home father a girl could have ever wanted to his youngest daughter, Sarah, and later he served as the "before school breakfast making PopPop" to his grandchildren who live next door. Joseph was a member of the Chichester United Wesleyan Church and considered it a privilege to serve God by caring for the grounds of the church, which he did for many years. He embodied the saying, "Once a Marine, always a Marine" and was proud that his son, Joey, followed in his footsteps. His grandchildren knew the lyrics "Give me that anchor, globe and eagle" before they could walk. He loved to sing and even knew how to yodel. He was an excellent cook and would often sing and dance while he was cooking in his kitchen and always was proud to have dinner on the table as soon as his wife walked in the door from work. He also enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting in Sullivan County with his son, teaching his daughter, Elaine, and his son to work on cars and teaching them how to fix anything that was broken. He is preceded in death by his first wife Eleanor C. Gray, his parents, Robert V. and Lillian R. Downs Gray, 4 siblings, George Gray, John Gray, Beatrice Shilmover and Benjamin John Gray. Joseph is survived by his wife of 47 years, Arlene L. Payne Gray, 3 children, Elaine (David) Black, Joseph Leon (Stephanie) Gray Jr. and Sarah Gray, 2 siblings, Roberta Stolar and Robert (Sharon) Gray, 4 grandchildren, Carl Grisby, Racheal Gray, Ryan Gray and Joseph Leon Gray III. A visitation will be held on Monday, December 31st from 10-11AM, at Chichester United Wesleyan Church, 5151 Chichester Ave., Upper Chichester, PA 19014, followed by funeral services at 11:00AM. Interment will be at Lawn Croft Cemetery, Linwood, PA. In lieu of flowers donations in his memory may be made to Chichester United Wesleyan Church. All are invited to a luncheon following the services.