Lonnie Gray

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Lonnie Deen Gray, age 82, of Granby Missouri, passed away surrounded by his loving family on September 18, 2024. Lonnie was born May 19, 1942, in Wheaton Missouri, the oldest child and only son of Audra Deen Gray and Etta Vesta (Bowman) Gray Stipp. 

Lonnie graduated from Fairview High School in 1960. An industrious and intelligent man who worked hard with his hands, Lonnie built his career around machinery, working first for Efco and then Clark Industries, both in Monett, Missouri, before landing his career at La-Z-Boy. Lonnie managed the tool and die department for La-Z-Boy for many years, ultimately developing 9 patents for the company that helped streamline and improve production.

Upon his retirement from La-Z-Boy, and not one to just sit around, Lonnie developed an interest in cattle, acquiring his first calf shortly before retirement. In farming, Lonnie found he could discover many more efficient and effective ways to get things done around the farm, continuing his reputation of ingenuity. From one little calf, Lonnie built his cattleman’s dream over the last three decades- a beautiful home, built by his own two hands, overlooking pastures of green, rolling hills, grazed by a large, healthy herd of cattle. Lonnie would never truly retire from his real passion, whittling his herd down to just ten after health issues arose in recent years.

Lonnie is preceded in death by his parents, stepson Terry Clarkson and son Brian Gray.
Survived by wife Dianna Gray of Granby Mo, daughter Amy Barnhill of Midland Tx, son Dwayne Gray of Fairview Mo., 5 stepchildren- Stawn Pyle of Arura Mo, stepdaughter Summer Newberry of Suwanee, Georgia, stepson Tracey Clarkson of Blanchard, Oklahoma, stepdaughter Renee Hobbs Of Granby Mo, stepdaughter Jamie Jennings of Stella Mo. Also survived by sister Judy Cochran of Newtonia Mo and one niece Rebecca Jensen of Neosho Mo. Lonnie has 3 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, and numerous step-grandchildren.

With a two- step and that sparkle in his eye, Lonnie found his “Sunshine”, Dianna, 14 and a half years ago at the Stella Senior Center Dance. They married in April of 2010 and have been working on the farm together since. Lonnie loved his family, and he loved his cattle. Some of the most cherished times with family were when we would load up on the truck or Kabota and head out to the fields to count the cows. Many life lessons were learned there in those fields, and lots of love was shared. We are grateful to God for his life, and for his love and leadership over our family.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Clark Funeral Home in Granby, Missouri. The family will host a Celebration of life visitation on Sunday, September 22, 2024 from 5-7 PM, at his home address.

Memorial contributions may be made to Stella Senior Center C/O Clark Funeral Home, P.O. Box 26, Granby, Missouri 64844