James Gray

James “Jimmy” Gray, 73, was born in Albia, where he met the love his life, Sandra. Jim, after being diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in July, desperately wanted to make it to their 54th wedding anniversary in early September and was able to enjoy that day with family.

Jim began working for Maytag and they moved to Newton. He retired from Maytag and then spent time as a Domino’s driver and working at the Iowa Speedway. His gift of gab played a large role in his life, so any job where he could chat, he was in heaven. But more than who he was as an employee, he was a proud father of two amazing kids, who he loved with his heart and soul as well as their spouses and children. The Gray family is a family that above all, laughs together, laughs often and loves fiercely.

Jim was an avid outdoorsman. He loved fishing and hunting morel mushrooms. Most recently, he was a dedicated volunteer with Central Iowa Outdoors without Boundaries, an organization to help disabled people get into the outdoors. This organization was very important to him as Jim was a stranger to none and a friend to all.

Jim spent the day before his death surrounded by family. He leaves us with many happy and silly memories and a request that he wants us all to be happy and that includes all of you, his friends. Jim is survived by his wife, Sandy; son, Tony (Lisa) Gray; daughter, Tina Carstensen (fiancé Corey Stevens); grandsons, Jon Gray and Mason Stevens. Jim is preceded in death by his parents; three brothers; sister; and his son-in-law.

A private burial service will be held later along with a celebration of life. We anticipate it will be Spring 2021 due to COVID-19 precautions. Memorials to Central Iowa Outdoors without Boundaries at outdoorswithoutboundaries@gmail.com and may be mailed to the family or left at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory.