Donald E. Gray

Donald E. Gray, 79, of Hamilton, IL, formerly of Quincy, IL, died Thursday, May 11 at his home surrounded by his family after a long battle with cancer. Born July 20, 1926 in Quincy, IL, Donald was a son of Walter A. and Ida Mae Platt Gray. Don served a term in the United States Army in Germany during WW II and then later married Myrna "Marlene" Brown on October 4, 1951. Don and Marlene were blessed with five children, eight grandchildren and two-great-grandchildren. After owning and operating Don's Vet Club in Quincy, IL for approximately ten years, he and his wife, along with his children, moved to Hamilton, IL where he resided until his death. In 1961, he bought the Addie May Excursion Boat and piloted up and down the Mississippi River for twenty-two years until he retired in 1982. Don is survived by his wife, Marlene of Hamilton, IL, his children, Rick Gray and his wife Mary Jo of Keokuk, IA, Beverly (Gray) and her husband Mark Weirather, of Keokuk, IA, Joleen (Gray) and her husband Rusty Nachbar of Raymore, MO, Melanie (Gray) Riley and her significant other, Darius Pinder of Las Vegas, NV, his grandchildren, Randy, Tyler, Gabe, Angie, Kim, Danny, Andrea and Caitlin and his great-grandchildren, Drake and Zane. He was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Randy Scott Gray, who died in 1964 at the age of 8 in Quincy, IL, one sister, Betty Ann Nelson, and one brother, Gilbert "Bill" Gray. In honor of Donald's request there was no visitation or funeral services. Memorials may be made to the Lee County Hospice or the American Cancer Society.