Grubb Family Tree

Date of Death: April 26, 2012.

“Jack Gray finally died.” That’s what he wanted his obituary to say since, like a cat, he had nine lives. Jack was a life-long resident of Coeur d’Alene, born on Aug. 19, 1936, at the family home on Military Drive. He was a proud Irishman, the middle of nine children of Wyatt and Ruth Gray. Jack began work at an early age, working with his Dad and brothers as a logger. He later learned welding, and worked as a welder and millwright.

Jack married Marie Fudge, and from this union he had three daughters, Becky, Jill and step-daughter Karen. In 1970, Jack remarried, to Mary Brophy, and had two sons, Tom and Jim.

The 1970s were busy for Jack; besides starting a new family, he and his brothers formed their own company. Grayco built and refurbished sawmills around the Northwest, many of which we still see today. Also, in 1971 he and Mary purchased the Fort Ground Tavern from his mother Ruth, which had been in the Gray family since 1943. He and Mary operated “The Tavern” for many years before selling it to his brother Mike in the late 1990’s. St. Patrick’s Day celebrations at the Fort Grounds Tavern were legendary “back in the day!”

Also legendary are the annual 4th of July parties at Jack and Mary’s house in the Fort Grounds. They’ve happily hosted friends and family every year for decades, at the best spot in town for a 4th of July celebration. Jack could be counted on to be at his spot on the porch, making sure he didn’t miss anything.

After poor health forced Jack to retire from welding and construction, he was able to slow down and enjoy the simpler things. He loved his property on the Coeur d’Alene River near Rose Lake, and spent many, many happy days there. He enjoyed tinkering around the camp and tending to his flowers and tomatoes, or just watching the river. He always liked to hunt and fish, and especially enjoyed “hunting camp.” Like his brothers, Jack liked to drive and to explore the back roads. It is a comfort to his family that Jack passed away while at his river property, his favorite spot on earth. He would have picked no other place to spend his last moments.

Jack is survived by his wife Mary and his daughters Becky (Joe) Riverman, Karen (Louis) MacCubbin, Jill (Stephen) Malmstrom, and his sons Tom and Jim Gray. He is also survived by his grandchildren Brian, Steve, Brantley, Kaitlyn, Christian, Isabel, Rachel, Ayla (and her mother Emily), Louis, and Oliver. Brothers Joe Gray and Pat (Mimi) Gray and sister Julie (Virgil) Zabinsky also survive him, as do many, many nieces and nephews. In addition, Jack was a second dad to many children in his neighborhood, like the Williams and Frye kids.

Services will be held at St Thomas Church, Coeur d’Alene, on Tuesday, May 1, 2012, at 1 p.m. English Funeral Chapel is in care of arrangements. The family prefers memorials be made to St. Vincent de Paul. To best honor Jack’s memory, take a nice drive to the Coeur d’Alene River by Rose Lake and visit “Jack’s Place.” Take a few moments to enjoy the beauty and peace of it.