John Robert Gray
April 23, 1960 – September 12, 2021
Preceded in death by parents, Marlene and Robert Gray; nephew, Matthew Veys. Survived by wife, Mary Jo; children: Allie Gray, Joe Steuter, James Steuter (Emily), Jon Steuter (Cara), Jackie Hendricks (Brian); grandchildren: Jolie, Nella, Austin, Olivia, Reece, and Brooks; sisters: Kim Bemis (Lyn), Debbie Gray, Renee Fulton (Robin); nieces and nephews.
VIGIL SERVICE: Thursday, September 16th, 7pm at West Center Chapel with family receiving friends from 5-7pm. MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Friday, September 17th, 10:30am St. Patrick Catholic Church in Elkhorn, 20500 W. Maple Street. Private Interment.
John R. Gray was born on April 23, 1960 in Albert Lea, Minnesota to Bob and Marlene Gray.
He went to his heavenly home on September 12, 2021, in Omaha, Nebraska. John grew up in Albert Lea, MN, moved to California with his family for a short time and has been in Omaha, Nebraska since age twelve. John graduated from Westside High School in 1978 and worked at Firestone during high school on a job program. He advanced for several years before becoming a store manager for the franchise. John continued in the service industry with Jensen Tire for more than a decade and joined Snap On Tools in early 2012 as a sales manager. Servicing customers and helping people in any way he could was his passion.
John married Mary Jo (Steuter) on October 26, 2002. His personal passions in life included his family, golf, Husker football, homemade hot fudge sundaes, grilling and cooking for family gatherings, Fourth of July celebrations at the Minnesota cabin, and cheering his daughter Allie on as the #1 fan for Skutt Catholic and Arizona State University volleyball.
7 Comments
I am so sorry that such a warm and loving man has left us. I feel his smile will always be with us as he was never without it. I am grateful to have known John and to have had the honor of having him as a friend.
I became friends with John while at Prairie Lane but I saw another side of him when we rode the bus to Valley View together. I remember some kids on the bus pretty relentlessly tormenting his sister Debbie, (who was the kindest person herself!) They’d continually snap rubber bands on her neck or arms causing immediate welts. John, though not very big then, jumped up like he was 10 feet tall to defend his sister. When I could see he was outnumbered, I’d jump up with him (having a special needs brother myself) and together we seemed more formidable until Debbie’s tormentors quit. I always admired John for that and do to this day. I pray he has a special place with the Saints because that’s what I saw in John.
John was a good friend and worked at Firestone during high school on a job program and continued on for years becoming a store manager. He played softball and bowled in leagues with me.and was a great at golf. Always enjoyed his company over the years, Was always so friendly to us and our family!
He will now Rest In Peace and will miss him! God bless you John and your beautiful family🙏
I am truly honored and blessed knowing and spending time with John during our Valley View & Westside days. John was truly a blessing in my life. I will never forget his kindness. May God give him eternal rest. My condolences
John will be sorely missed he was a great sole and i enjoyed working with him and his positive outlook on everything.
Sorry for your loss. I grew up with John during our teen years. We rode snowmobiles together in the Prarie Lane area of Omaha. He was super helpful and fun to be around. A great spirit I’ll never forget. My condolences and RIP John.
I played softball with John back in the day and then reconnected with him later in life as he cheered on daughter Allie and the rest of the SkyHawks. I could tell how proud John was of Allie and he always thanked me if I’d written a story about her in the World-Herald. Prayers for the Gray family.
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