Dwayne Gray

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Lonnie Dwayne Gray was born on July 30, 1967, at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Monett, MO, to Lonnie and Peggy Gray. He was welcomed home in Fairview by his older sister Amy Denise.

Dwayne attended Triway Elementary in Stella, MO, and Sulphur Springs Elementary in Sulphur Springs, TX, where his brother Michael was born. The family moved back to Missouri, where his sisters Melissia and Marla were born.

In 1978, the family moved to Lubbock, TX, where Dwayne attended school through graduation from Coronado High School in 1985. In Lubbock, he developed lifelong friendships, including that of his forever love, Jennifer, who he was reunited with on August 1, 2009.

Dwayne was fortunate enough to have two dads – Lonnie and James Clarkson – who taught him from a young age all he would need to know in life. Dwayne worked with his hands for years in building and construction, at times for a living and at times in building a life for his family. He worked as general manager at Cas Steel for 27 years. Anyone who has ever driven by his home has seen the evidence of his handiwork outside, and for those who were welcomed in (and if you were friend or family, you were welcomed in), his ability to shape a home was evident.

In 1996, Dwayne returned to Missouri from Texas. His son, Wyatt Dwayne Gray, was born in December of that year. Dwayne and Wyatt were usually found outdoors in the hills on a horse or in a creek looking for tadpoles. Dwayne fostered Wyatt’s love for animals and taught him the responsibility that goes along with having them.

Upon reuniting with Jennifer, Dwayne gained four bonus children, whom he loved and got frustrated with just like his own. Together, Dwayne and Jennifer built a life of joy, hard work, and family.

Dwayne is survived by Jennifer, of the home in Fairview, MO; his son Wyatt Gray and partner Skyler Bunce, of Fairview, MO; daughter Sarah Hickman, and husband Brad, and grandchildren Macee, Brayah, and Layton, of Fairview, MO; daughter Jayda Payne and fiancé Noah Horner, of Stotts City, MO; sons Justin and Jordan Payne of Lubbock, TX. He is also survived by his mother Peggy Clarkson, of Wheaton, MO; his sister Amy Barnhill, of Midland, TX; his brother Michael Clarkson and wife Angie, of Lubbock, TX; his sister Melissia Clarkson, of Kittery, ME; and his sister Marla Clarkson, of Stella, MO.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, his father, Lonnie Deen Gray, and his stepfather, James Clarkson.

Whether they called him Uncle D, Uncle Bubby, or just Uncle Dwayne, he is also joyfully remembered by a multitude of nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews as the fun uncle that always promised a good time. Dwayne never met a stranger and will be missed by numerous friends in addition to extended family.

Dwayne passed from this world on Jan. 21, 2025, leaving a hole in the lives of his loved ones. He will be remembered in a Celebration of Life on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, at Someplace Nice Venue in Pierce City, MO. The family will receive visitors from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM. Celebration of life will begin at 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Trinity Circle Horses Healing Hearts 12313 Sorrel Road Goodman, Missouri 64843