Howard Gray

(From Parker Mortuary)

Howard Bruce Gray, age 88, Joplin, passed away on Wednesday. August 29, 2018 at his home.

Howard was born February 11, 1930 in Carthage, Missouri, son of the late Lawrence E. Gray and Muriel Booth Gray. He graduated from Carl Junction High School, and then served in the United States Navy, spending time on the Bonhomme Richard.

He worked as a precision welder for several companies in California before returning to Joplin in 1985 to help care for his mother. He was a member of Harmony Heights Baptist Church, and the V.F.W. Post #534, Earl J. Bruton.

In addition to his parents, Howard was preceded in death by his wife, Maria Lucia Gray, who died January 20, 2016, and his siblings, Larry Gray, NaDeane Gray Kissinger, Dewey Gray, and Miriam Mills.

Survivors include Maria's children, Julio Navarro of Tampa, Florida, Olga Hefner and husband David of Anaheim, California, grandchildren, Anna, Sofi, Diego, and Julio, Jr.; daughter-in-law, Marisabel Navarro of Tampa; several nieces, nephews, and cousins, including Marie Napier and husband Joe of Grand Prairie, Texas, Grace Leader of Edmond, Oklahoma, and Rob Mills and wife Gale of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Greg Mills and wife Myrna of Kansas City, Kansas, Ron Mills and wife Isabell of Amity, Oregon, and Jack Mills and wife Julie of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and numerous other extended family and friends.

Memorial services will be Saturday, September 15, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at Harmony Heights Baptist Church with Rev. Charlie Burnett officiating.

Inurnment of his ashes will be by family at Ozark Memorial Park Mausoleum at a later date.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.

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