Glenn Gray

Glenn Gray was a man of many interests and abilities. A loving family man and friend too many, he had the type of personality that everyone loved to be around. Glenn enjoyed hunting, fishing, reading but most of all, spending time with his loved ones who were dear to his heart. The 1950s were characterized by a strong element of conservatism. Families worked together, played together and vacationed together. Drive-in movies were popular and having a car was a sign of coolness. For Ralph and Eveleen (Eller) Gray, this pretty much described their life in Muskegon, Michigan. The Grays owned and operated Grays Furniture as well as a local motel, and the entire family worked and played there. Already the proud parents of four children: Karen, JoAnn, Gary and Dawn, on February 4, 1958, Ralph and Eveleen welcomed the birth of their son, Glenn Allen, who weighed in at a hefty 10 lbs. Glenn was faced with challenges already from birth as his hips werent fully developed so he had to wear braces on his legs until he was 12. Glenn grew up in their family home on LeTarte Avenue in the Lakeside neighborhood in Muskegon. Because he couldnt walk, Glenns siblings and friends would pull him around in a wagon, including to school. Luckily all his classes were on the first floor at Bunker School. Glenn was especially close to his sister, Dawn, who would take him with her to the park. However, once she left him in the park during a storm because she couldnt get the wagon through the sand; she went back for him though. Glenn finally got his braces off as a teenager, but this newfound freedom didnt last long because he blew his knee out 3 months later and was put in a full body cast. Eventually, Glenn was well enough to participate in sports in school, including as a shot putter on the track team, and go hunting and fishing with his Dad. Once in high school, Glenn began working at the familys furniture store, like his siblings before him all did, and going with his Dad to auctions for antiques and used furniture. After Glenn graduated from Muskegon High in 1976, he had aspirations of becoming a forest ranger, but instead went to work full-time with his Dad in the family business. Glenn lived at home for a couple of years to save money for a house of his own. He eventually bought 10 acres of property on Simonelli Road just north of Muskegon in Fruitland Township, and had a house built there, complete with a fieldstone fireplace with an antique mantel his mother found at a garage sale. Glenn loved this house and the adjoining woods, where he could hunt and fish with his friends. In the early 1980s, Glenns life took a new direction when he met Barbara Forbear at Angelo & Ricardos while visiting a friend in Hesperia. It wasnt long before the two started dating, and after only a couple of months, Barbara and her daughter, Jennifer, moved in with Glenn. After some time, Glenn and Barbara were married on December 19, 1983, and soon had two children of their own: Michael born in 1985, and Jessica in 1990. Glenn eventually took over the furniture store from his Dad, and like in his childhood, he got his own children to work with him there. With his great sense of humor, he could often be heard saying, Someday my son, this will all be yours. Glenn wasnt all work and no play though; in fact, he was known to have too much fun at a local bar on occasion, and had to call a tow truck to come get him and his car home that was after they stopped to get a pizza. One of Glenns favorite places to have fun was in Las Vegas, which he visited 3 or 4 times a year with family or just by himself. Because he was consistently a big winner at slots, Glenn often got complimentary food, drinks and rooms from the casino, and got picked up at the airport by a limo. Glenn was at home among people. Whether they were family, co-workers or customers, he considered all the people in his life to be his friends. He had a natural social talent that always left people charmed and smiling, and with his great story telling abilities, he kept them captivated and laughing. Over the years, Glenn had some health problems, including sleep apnea and a few minor strokes. His health issues eventually took its toll, and Glenn had to quit work, sell the furniture store and go on disability. His wife, Barb, then went back to work, while Glenn took over the household duties of cleaning, laundry and cooking, something that he loved to do anyway. He was always making something amazing on the grill, like steaks, shrimp, smoked turkey and sauces for the meat. A little old fashioned, Glenn only used a charcoal grill because he said good cooking takes time. In his leisure time, Glenn loved to watch the Nature and History Channels, and did a lot of reading too. Unfortunately, in the last few years, Glenns health began to worsen, and he became a homebody, rarely going out. He passed away unexpectedly at home on Monday, February 7, 2011, at the age of 53. All who knew Glenn will treasure his memory. Glenn is survived by his wife of 27 years, Barbara; son, Michael Gray of Muskegon; daughters, Jennifer (Tye) Romanosky of Muskegon, Jessica Gray of Muskegon; grandson, Dawson Romanosky; sisters, Dawn Gray of Dearborn, JoAnn (Charles) Burns of Twin Lake; brother-in-law, Bill Forbear; sister-in-law, Ann Klobucar; special nephew, Chad Bielinski; several nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Gary, and sister, Karen Bielinski. Funeral services will be on Thursday, February 10, at 3:00 p.m. at the Clock Chapel of Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. Visitation is on Thursday, from 1-3 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. Please visit Glenns personal memory page at www.clockfuneralhome.com, where you may share a memory or sign his online guest book.