James M. Gray

James M. Gray

May 24, 1959-December 12, 2022

James “Jim” Gray was born May 24, 1959, to Frank and Margaret “Peggy” Gray in St. Louis, MO. He grew up in a three bedroom home in Omaha, NE with his parents and five siblings. Jim spent his childhood summers building go-carts and forts with his brothers and neighborhood friends. As he got older he spent a lot of time with his brothers working on cars in the driveway.

Jim had an unmatched work ethic and had many jobs including paperboy, waiter, farm hand, and factory worker. He graduated from Burke High School and went on to work as a vacuum cleaner salesman and then become an insurance salesman where he learned everything he needed to know to start his own insurance business from the ground up.

Jim started Omaha Division Insurance Agency when he was just 21 years old. The business grew and thrived exponentially and he employed dozens of people over the years, including many family members and close friends.

He was known to be an exceptionally generous person and changed the lives of countless friends, family members, and strangers throughout his lifetime.

Jim spent 30 years married to the love of his life Patricia “Patty” Gray. Together they raised two daughters, Jessica and Jennifer. His daughters were Jim’s pride and joy, and he reminded them of that often. He was an incredibly loving husband and father and enjoyed taking his family on camping trips, giving them rides in his Corvettes, and traveling the world together.

Jim broke his neck in 1997 and was told he would likely never walk again. He proved them wrong not only by walking, but also skiing, biking, and riding his motorcycles. His resilience and determination to live life on his own terms was and is unparalleled.

Jim was preceded in death by his father, Frank Gray. He is survived by Patricia Jo Gray; daughters, Jessica Jo Gray and Jennifer Leigh Gray (William Davidson); mother, Margaret Gray; two brothers, John Herman Gray and Jerome “Jerry” Eugene Gray; and three sisters, Elizabeth “Betty” Jean Rennemeyer, Bonnie Margaret Savage, and Sandra Estelle Coen.

Visitation with the family: Monday 5-7pm at the mortuary. FUNERAL: Tuesday 11am at Water’s Edge Church, 19600 & Harrison St.

Memorials to Heifer International, Siena Francis House or the American Chronic Pain Association.

 

14 Comments

  • Tami Hunefeld Posted December 16, 2022 5:22 pm

    So sorry for your loss! RIP JIM

  • Chris Cudworth Busboom Posted December 17, 2022 11:55 pm

    Prayers going out to Jim’s family. Gods peace to you all.

  • Gene (Skip) Dinkel Posted December 18, 2022 7:15 am

    Condolences to Patti and family. Thanks Jim for letting me take a spin in your beloved corvette.

  • Rick Newcomer Posted December 18, 2022 7:42 am

    So many fond memories of Jim; his infectious laugh, the pristine’56 Chevy and Open Campus lunch at Burke High. My condolences to his family,

  • Steve and Concetta Boscardin Posted December 18, 2022 5:53 pm

    To the Gray family, We are sorry for your loss. We will miss Jim too. He was a good and generous man. He was always thoughtful, kind, and sharing to Gerri and Archie Boscardin as well as all of us.

    And he surely could tell a good story.

    Love Steve and Concetta Boscardin

  • Jenny J Posted December 18, 2022 6:23 pm

    Wishing Jim’s family peace and comfort at this most difficult time

  • Jackie Linker Hoffmann Posted December 19, 2022 11:04 am

    Speaking for myself and my siblings and all of the Linker relatives here in Illinois, we are all devastated by this sad news and pray that you all will find peace knowing Jim is in heaven and no longer suffers from pain and sorrow. We hold you all close in our hearts as you lay him to rest. Know that we are with you in thoughts and prayers always.

  • Jackie Linker Hoffmann Posted December 19, 2022 11:14 am

    I speak for myself and for all of the Linker relatives here in Illinois that we are devastated to hear this sad news. We pray that you all can find peace knowing Jim is in heaven and no longer suffers pain and sorrow. We are with you in our hearts and in our thoughts and prayers always. God bless.

  • Michael J Boscardin Posted December 19, 2022 1:39 pm

    Our deepest sympathies to the Gray family, especially Peggy, John, Jerry, Bonnie, Sandra, Betty, Patty, Jessica, and Jennifer. Jim was always so incredibly kind and loving to all of us, including my family, my parents, and my grandparents. He was one of the most generous people I’ve ever met and the best story teller anyone has met. Some of my earliest memories of him are when I was about 8 years old and he’d punt the football about a mile into the air at my grandparent’s house. His and Patty’s wedding was one of the most memorable weddings I’ve been to and he would be the host and life of the party for many years to come. He was very successful in business, but I think all would agree his biggest accomplishment was raising two daughters, Jessica and Jennifer. He will always be remembered lovingly.
    Love,
    Mike, Lilliana, Aranza, and Adeline Boscardin

  • Roger Quandt Posted December 19, 2022 3:56 pm

    Go rest high on that mountain my old friend

  • Ron and Beth Ganer Posted December 19, 2022 4:31 pm

    Our prayers are with you, Patty and girls. Our utmost sympathy to your family.

  • Nina Chase Posted December 21, 2022 6:14 pm

    He was a wonderful human and he was there for me and my family when we needed him the most.. I loved listening to all his stories and he was definitely a proud father. My heart breaks for his family.

  • Michelle (Sims) Jacobsen Posted December 22, 2022 1:02 pm

    So sorry for your loss. I remember Jim from high school. He was such a fun and caring person.

  • Vicki Scanlon Posted January 2, 2023 10:07 am

    I have so many fond high school memories of Jim. My deepest condolences to his family.

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