Raymond Mark Gregory

Raymond Mark Gregory was born on May 4, 1942 to William Woodrow Gregory and Mary Belle Clark. His mother died in a tragic car accident when he was 13, bonding him to his sister and changing the course of his life. After many kind family members cared for him, he joined the Navy in 1959 and proudly served his country as a petty officer aboard the Lexington and Kitty Hawk. Ray served as an honor guard at Pearl Harbor on December 7th during his naval service. After the Navy, Ray worked as a gas station attendant at Town Talk where he met the love of his life, Kathy Curtiss, and won her over with his smile. After a short courtship, they were married for 52 years. He had two daughters and was the sole male member of the household, even including pets. He often said how much he loved his girls.

Ray began working for Fisher Body in 1965 in Lansing and worked there for 34 years until he retired in 1999.

Ray was an avid reader and loved bird watching and keeping the squirrels away. As a huge Spartan fan, he bled green and white, and was ecstatic when both of his daughters chose to attend Michigan State.

Ray loved to tease his family and had a good sense of humor. One of his favorite tricks was to startle his wife first thing in the morning. He was definitely not the disciplinarian of his children.

Ray was a good man who loved and was loved by his family very much. He is survived by his wife, Kathy of Rockford, MI; sister, Carol Gregory (Michael Howell) of Ocala, FL; his daughters, Shari (Charles) Kirby of Pinckney, MI and Marci (Andrew) Makin of Fairfax, VA; two grandsons, of which he was so proud, Peter and William Makin both of Fairfax, VA; his sister-in-law, Bunny (Ralph) Freeland of Chippewa Lake, MI; and a sweet niece, Cristy Stoddard of Ionia, MI. He is also survived by beloved aunts, uncles, many cousins, great nephews, and great-great nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents and his nephew, Greg Alexander.

He passed away September 16, 2018, due to complications from a stroke.

A Memorial Service will be officiated by Pastor Kenneth Harger at 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 21, 2018 at the Lehman Funeral Home, 220 Rich Street, Ionia. The family will receive friends on Thursday evening from 5-7:30 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, if you wish to make a donation to a charity of your choice in his name, Ray would enjoy knowing the good that will be done. Arrangements are entrusted to Lehman Funeral Homes. Online condolences may be made at www.lehmanfuneralhomes.com.

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