GREAT BEND — Van Gray, 76, passed away September 1, 2020, at Diversicare of Larned. He was born Oct. 17, 1944, in Bernice, LA to Bill & Elvira (Levingston) Gray. Moving here when he was very young, the family resided in Hoisington, KS, where he attended school. In 1966, he married Bernice Robinson but they later divorced in 1995.

Van was a longtime Great Bend resident, where he worked for Johnson’s Electric for many years until he retired. He loved to fish, hunt, and play baseball when he was younger. 

Survivors include, a son, Kenneth Ray Gray of Great Bend, KS; a daughter, Shionta Gray of Great Bend, KS; sisters, Wanda Oaks (Cleveland), and Audrey Mae Wright (Ray), and a brother, Billy Ray Gray (Sharon), all of Salina, KS; seven grandchildren, Ouray, Dezmon, Destiny, D’Kenna, D’Kari, Keyon, Kingston, LaTaja, and TaNaja; three great-grandchildren, Tre’Von, RayShaun, Taylor and Javica; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Elvira Gray; a daughter, Kena Lachelle Gray; a sister, Eula Mae Robinson; and four brothers, Hilton Gray, Don Gray, J.C. Gray, and Roy Gray. 

Visitation will be held from 3 to 9 p.m., Friday, September 4, 2020, at Bryant Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at 9 a.m., at Bryant Funeral Home, until the Graveside Service at 10 a.m., Tuesday, September 8, 2020, held at the Great Bend Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Diversicare of Larned, in care of Bryant Funeral Home. 

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS   67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Sept. 4, 2020