OBITUARY: Samuel B. Gray

Samuel B. Gray, age 57, of Carrier Mills, died peacefully at his residence 3:12 p.m. Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, with his loving family at his side.

Sam was born June 18, 1955, in Marion, son of Jack Gray and the late Jackie (Williams) Gray. He married the former LaDonna Dowdy Oct. 16, 1976, and she survives.

Sam served his country as a U.S. Army veteran, being a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division. He then worked as a coal miner at the Willow Lake Mine.

He is survived by his wife, LaDonna of Carrier Mills; son, Mathew (Devyn) Kerley of New York; daughter, Julia Gray of Stonefort; father, Jack Gray of Vienna; two brothers, Mike Gray of Florida and Tim Gray of Vienna; six grandchildren, Falisha, Jordon, Nickole, Nathan, Matyson and Adrianne.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Jackie.

Services are 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 19, 2012, at the Absher-Nicholson Funeral Home in Carrier Mills. Visitation will be after 9 a.m. until service time Friday.

Burial will be in the Salem Cemetery in Carrier Mills with graveside military honors by the Carrier Mills and Harrisburg American Legions and the Army Honors Team.