Robert Lewis Gray

Robert Lewis Gray, Sr. 87, of Battle Creek died peacefully at home, with his family at his side, on Thursday, July 27, 2017.

Robert was born May 29, 1930 in Battle Creek, Michigan to Kenneth W. & Mildred (Prolo) Gray. Bob served his country honorably from 1949 until 1952 in the U.S Air Force with the Selfridge Air Force Base Air Police. Bob was the owner, operator and president of The Heffley Company, a plumbing, heating and wholesale supplier. He was employed at Heffley's for 42 years, retiring in 1995. Previous to that he worked at Michigan Carton Company seven years.

Bob was united in marriage to Enis C. Armanini on June 7, 1958 at St. Philip Catholic Church. Surviving are Enis, his wife of 59 years; three daughters, Annette (Joe) Grzegorzewski and Lisa Ward both of Battle Creek, Launa Farley of Ringgold, Georgia; son, Robert L (Mickey) Gray, Jr. of Battle Creek; 13 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; a sister, Marjorie Ward of Battle Creek and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and their families. Bob was preceded in death by his parents and twin half brothers, Albert and Elmer Gray.

Bob was a member of St. Jerome Catholic Church, American Legion #298, B.P.O.E, and Fraternal Order of the Eagles #299. When he wasn't working Bob enjoyed playing golf, bowling, fishing, watching wrestling and old westerns on TV. He loved spending time with his family and was known to enjoy making jokes and singing silly songs.

Friends will be received 2:00-4:00 p.m. & 6:00-8:00 p.m. Monday, July 31, 2017 at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, where the Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Jerome Catholic Church, 229 Collier Rd., Battle Creek, MI 49037 at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 1, 2017. Military honors will follow at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. A luncheon will be held at St. Jerome at the conclusion of Military honors.

Memorial contributions in memory of Bob may be made to the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan, 1169 Oak Valley Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48108 or Fresenius Kidney Care of Battle Creek North, 233 East Roosevelt Ave., Battle Creek, MI 49017. Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.