Donald Gordon Gray

Donald Gordon Gray passed away while on tour in New Zealand with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Okay, that's not true. But he would have liked that, and you may recall that Don (and his brother Bob) loved to tell what they called MUFs (Made Up Facts) — so it seems fitting to honor a long tradition of embellishment. This, however, is true: Don will be remembered for his deep love of music, cheerful sense of humor, love of family, integrity, and acceptance of people from all walks of life. (And yes, the occasional harmless ""made-up fact"" for entertainment's sake.) Don passed away on March 21, 2017, in Lone Tree, Colorado, while surrounded by love. He will be missed by countless friends and family members, most of all by his wife, Lavera Marie (Tonini) Gray; son, Eric Robert Gray; brother, Robert Gray; and grandchildren, Taylor Schaffer, Katie Schaffer and Claire Gray. His daughter, Michell (Gray) Schaffer, preceded him in death in 2013. Though Michell was Don's step-daughter by definition, Marie fondly recalls how Michell referred to Don as ""Daddy"" from the very start, and Don immediately stepped up to the role, adopting and raising her as his own. Don was born on April 13, 1947, in Socorro, New Mexico, to Gordon Gray and Olive Henry. In remembering family time spent in Socorro, Don would always recall his Grandma Jesse's famous chiles rellenos. Eventually, Don's father's career in the oil business took the family to Abilene, Texas. Don spent his junior high and high school years in Denver, attending South High School (class of 1965) and forming the righteous surf band The Regents. He then attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock. He met and fell in love with Marie, and they were married on September 29, 1971, at a ceremony in Denver. A position at the firm Hicks and Ragland acquainted Don with the engineering business, and he subsequently went on to co-found his own engineering company, Sullivan, Gray and Smith (SGS), in the early 1980s. After 24 years as a successful managing partner at SGS, Don helped sell the business and entered retirement. He would often say that he took to retirement like a fish to water, relishing life in Durango, Colorado, where he and Marie golfed and watched wildlife out their back door. A move to Parker, Colorado, in 2006, put Don and Marie closer to family, with the added benefit of reuniting The Regents after some 40 years. Renamed Big Otis Surf Club, the band brought together three of the original members and a few new ones, including son, Eric. Weekly rehearsals and dinners with the band were one of Don's favorite ways to spend his time. He also loved golfing, listening to rock 'n roll and getting together to laugh with family. Those wishing to help celebrate a life well lived are invited to attend a memorial service planned for April 8, 2017 at 2pm at Horan & McConaty, 5303 E. County Line Rd., Centennial. A reception will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Don's memory to Adam's Camp (adamscamp.org/donate-sponsor/memorial-scholarships). Please share memories of Don and condolences with his family by signing the guestbook below.