Terry L. Gray

Terry L. Gray, 78, of Newton, died Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at the Des Moines VA Medical Center. A Celebration of Life will be held from 12-4 p.m., Saturday, May 31, 2025, at St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 223 E. 4th St. N., Newton. Memorials in Terry’s name (please make checks payable to Cindy Gray) can be left at the church the day of the service or at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory in Newton.

Terry, the son of Floyd and Della (Barker) Gray, was born June 14, 1946, in Oskaloosa. He grew up in Eddyville, where he was raised by his mother and stepfather, Frank Kristof. Terry graduated from Eddyville High School in 1964 and enlisted in the US Army. He served during the Vietnam War from 1964-1967, where he received an Army Commendation Medal and a Bronze Star for heroism. Terry served in the 82nd Airborne and the 101st Airborne as a paratrooper and was on the Tiger Force special forces team. After he was discharged from the Army, Terry settled in Newton, where he began working for The Maytag Company, retiring in 1997 after 30 years with the company. Terry was married to Carol Morgan in 1968, and the couple had two children, Heather and Christa. The couple later divorced. Terry was united in marriage with Cindy Malson on October 7, 2000, at Lake Miami in Lovilia. Terry enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and was a remarkable woodworker and builder. He made Native American flutes, long bows, and even guns by hand. He also made several rocking horses for his grandchildren and crafted each one a step stool that Cindy personalized for them. Together, he and Cindy enjoyed attending rendezvous, which are 1840s re-enactments of the fur trade that involve primitive camping and cooking. Terry will be remembered for his wit, his stubbornness, and his sarcastic sense of humor.

Terry is survived by his wife, Cindy Gray of Newton; his children, Heather Gray of Newton, Christa Gray of Newton, Jennifer (Randy) Meador of Davenport, and Michelle (Robert) DuBois of Norwalk; his grandchildren: Travis, Gavin, Donovan, Hayden, Mason, Kylie, and Ayden; his 2 great-grandchildren, Aria and Spencer; his siblings, Dennis (Susan) Gray, Rhonda (Mike) Mitrisin, Mary (Dennis) Pettyjohn, and Patricia DeGross; and several nieces and nephews. Terry was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd Gray and Della and Frank Kristof; his brother, James Ronald Gray; a granddaughter; 2 nephews; and several cousins.