1937
Jimmie
2009
Jimmie A. Gray
September 30, 1937 — May 27, 2009
Jimmie A. Gray
Harlingen, TX:
He was a good man…a mountain of a man…bigger almost than life itself…the kind of man that you wanted to be just like. He was strong, fair and honest, dependable and trustworthy, and just being around him made you a better person. He was a farmer, who loved the land as much as he loved his family, and he took care of both with great pride and joy. He loved hunting and fishing and he should have lived in the mountains of Colorado, because he found great peace there.
This is the story of Jim Gray…and the wonderful life he lived. Born to Oscar B.(Buster) and Eva Gray in the fall of 1937, Jimmie was a farm boy. He worked the fields, right along with his folks and his younger brother, Sterling, or “Tump” as Jim always called him. He loved to hunt and fish and he whiled away many a summer day in the canal close to his house. He grew up tough…he survived thyroid cancer at the age of 12, and he went on to play football for the Rio Hondo Bobcats during high school. Billed as the “biggest quarterback in the Valley”, Jimmie went on to be a state shot putter. He tried college, but very quickly knew it wasn’t for him...he had farming in his blood and he knew his place was on the family farm. He grew up with and married the only true love of his life, his high school sweetheart, Donagayle Canville, and together they went about the business of family and farming. Jim and Donagayle had two little girls, and those girls loved their daddy. Through storms and good times, the family stuck together. The oldest daughter, Elizabeth, eventually married the “son” Jim never had…James Startz. The two daughters gifted their daddy with the best presents ever…his three grandchildren. Jim loved his grandkids, and was always busting with pride over their accomplishments. And the three grandkids loved their “Gandad”…he was their hero.
Together with his brother Sterling, Jimmie farmed for over 50 years. Jim and his brother did everything together. They enjoyed hunting elk in Colorado, fishing in the bay, and just being together. During Jim’s later years in life when he became ill, “Tump” was always there…through it all, he never failed Jim…he was the best brother anyone could have ever asked for. Jim always knew how lucky he was to have him…
Jim and Donagayle recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Through those 50 years, through hail and high water, in sickness and in health, Donagayle took care of Jim. She unselfishly nursed him during his last years and she was his best friend. Even in the last days of his life, Jim was always looking for “Mama”, as he affectionately called her. She was always right there…never leaving his side. They had a special bond and his family learned about love through them.
Jim left this world early Wednesday morning, May 27, 2009, but we take great joy in the fact that he is with his mama and daddy and is undoubtedly hunting a big elk right now in the mountains of Heaven. He is survived by his loving wife, Donagayle, and his two daughters, his oldest child, Elizabeth Startz and Marigayle Tomlin, his precious baby girl, who helped nurse him to the end. He had three wonderful grandchildren …Ryan Elizabeth Startz Yanes and her husband, Isaac, Sarah Elizabeth Gray and Caleb James Gray Startz. Jim is also survived by his beloved son-in-law, James Startz. Jim left behind his best buddy and brother, Sterling Gray and his dear wife, Iva Jo. Jim also leaves his loving sister and brother-in-law, Aouida and Bobby Hoffman. Jim had numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, and aunts and uncles who will feel his loss. He loved you all.
Standing at Jim’s side, like his honor guard, were some very important people in his life. We would like to acknowledge his forever friends and family: Don and Janice Waters and family, Ruth Ann and Johnny Canville, Marcus Wick, Bob Duncan, the West “boys”-Tommy and Bobby, Ray and Harold Gray, Joann and Al Buie, Ben and Mary Perez, David Newell, Anton and Jay Hoffman, Robin Bryant, the Villarreal “boys”, Gary “Bud” James, Anita Bock, Juan, Maria and Meliton Segunda, Eloisa Alvarez, Melinda Corkill, Mikie and Kim (Kimbo) Gray, and Uncle Jim’s favorite little fella, Mr. Conner. You will never know how much your love and support did for us all.
Our family would also like to thank Dr. Indal Seudeal for his wonderful care. Dr. Seudeal, you became Jim’s doctor eight years ago and grew to be his friend. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You are a huge part of the reason we had him those extra eight years. We would also like to thank Cima Hospice and the wonderful women who helped us take such good care of Jim—Maggie, Sharon, Alice and Alma. We appreciate all you did to make Jim’s last days peaceful.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2009 at Rio Hondo Baptist Church, officiated by dear friend, the Reverend Gene Horton. This wonderful memorial service will be at 4:00 p.m.
Jim will be missed by all who knew and loved him. He has left a huge void in our hearts, but we have faith that we will see him again. We truly believe he is standing tall and walking around Heaven, preparing for the time we will meet again. The last three weeks Jim fought like the true Indian warrior he has always been. Watching him preparing to meet his Maker has in turn taught us all how to live. He fought the good fight and he is now being rewarded by God, because Jim Gray was a good man…
The family invites to leave a memory or condolence at www.buck-ashcraft.com
Arrangements are being handled by Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.
Harlingen, TX:
He was a good man…a mountain of a man…bigger almost than life itself…the kind of man that you wanted to be just like. He was strong, fair and honest, dependable and trustworthy, and just being around him made you a better person. He was a farmer, who loved the land as much as he loved his family, and he took care of both with great pride and joy. He loved hunting and fishing and he should have lived in the mountains of Colorado, because he found great peace there.
This is the story of Jim Gray…and the wonderful life he lived. Born to Oscar B.(Buster) and Eva Gray in the fall of 1937, Jimmie was a farm boy. He worked the fields, right along with his folks and his younger brother, Sterling, or “Tump” as Jim always called him. He loved to hunt and fish and he whiled away many a summer day in the canal close to his house. He grew up tough…he survived thyroid cancer at the age of 12, and he went on to play football for the Rio Hondo Bobcats during high school. Billed as the “biggest quarterback in the Valley”, Jimmie went on to be a state shot putter. He tried college, but very quickly knew it wasn’t for him...he had farming in his blood and he knew his place was on the family farm. He grew up with and married the only true love of his life, his high school sweetheart, Donagayle Canville, and together they went about the business of family and farming. Jim and Donagayle had two little girls, and those girls loved their daddy. Through storms and good times, the family stuck together. The oldest daughter, Elizabeth, eventually married the “son” Jim never had…James Startz. The two daughters gifted their daddy with the best presents ever…his three grandchildren. Jim loved his grandkids, and was always busting with pride over their accomplishments. And the three grandkids loved their “Gandad”…he was their hero.
Together with his brother Sterling, Jimmie farmed for over 50 years. Jim and his brother did everything together. They enjoyed hunting elk in Colorado, fishing in the bay, and just being together. During Jim’s later years in life when he became ill, “Tump” was always there…through it all, he never failed Jim…he was the best brother anyone could have ever asked for. Jim always knew how lucky he was to have him…
Jim and Donagayle recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Through those 50 years, through hail and high water, in sickness and in health, Donagayle took care of Jim. She unselfishly nursed him during his last years and she was his best friend. Even in the last days of his life, Jim was always looking for “Mama”, as he affectionately called her. She was always right there…never leaving his side. They had a special bond and his family learned about love through them.
Jim left this world early Wednesday morning, May 27, 2009, but we take great joy in the fact that he is with his mama and daddy and is undoubtedly hunting a big elk right now in the mountains of Heaven. He is survived by his loving wife, Donagayle, and his two daughters, his oldest child, Elizabeth Startz and Marigayle Tomlin, his precious baby girl, who helped nurse him to the end. He had three wonderful grandchildren …Ryan Elizabeth Startz Yanes and her husband, Isaac, Sarah Elizabeth Gray and Caleb James Gray Startz. Jim is also survived by his beloved son-in-law, James Startz. Jim left behind his best buddy and brother, Sterling Gray and his dear wife, Iva Jo. Jim also leaves his loving sister and brother-in-law, Aouida and Bobby Hoffman. Jim had numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, and aunts and uncles who will feel his loss. He loved you all.
Standing at Jim’s side, like his honor guard, were some very important people in his life. We would like to acknowledge his forever friends and family: Don and Janice Waters and family, Ruth Ann and Johnny Canville, Marcus Wick, Bob Duncan, the West “boys”-Tommy and Bobby, Ray and Harold Gray, Joann and Al Buie, Ben and Mary Perez, David Newell, Anton and Jay Hoffman, Robin Bryant, the Villarreal “boys”, Gary “Bud” James, Anita Bock, Juan, Maria and Meliton Segunda, Eloisa Alvarez, Melinda Corkill, Mikie and Kim (Kimbo) Gray, and Uncle Jim’s favorite little fella, Mr. Conner. You will never know how much your love and support did for us all.
Our family would also like to thank Dr. Indal Seudeal for his wonderful care. Dr. Seudeal, you became Jim’s doctor eight years ago and grew to be his friend. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You are a huge part of the reason we had him those extra eight years. We would also like to thank Cima Hospice and the wonderful women who helped us take such good care of Jim—Maggie, Sharon, Alice and Alma. We appreciate all you did to make Jim’s last days peaceful.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2009 at Rio Hondo Baptist Church, officiated by dear friend, the Reverend Gene Horton. This wonderful memorial service will be at 4:00 p.m.
Jim will be missed by all who knew and loved him. He has left a huge void in our hearts, but we have faith that we will see him again. We truly believe he is standing tall and walking around Heaven, preparing for the time we will meet again. The last three weeks Jim fought like the true Indian warrior he has always been. Watching him preparing to meet his Maker has in turn taught us all how to live. He fought the good fight and he is now being rewarded by God, because Jim Gray was a good man…
The family invites to leave a memory or condolence at www.buck-ashcraft.com
Arrangements are being handled by Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jimmie A. Gray, please visit our flower store.