Jan. 27, 1921 — Sept. 18, 2006
Franklin Joseph Cray, 85, of Lebanon died Monday at the Oaks in Lebanon.
He was born in Sweet Home, the son of Elliott and Leonie (Lyonis) Cray. He moved to Lebanon in 1926, attended Stoltz Hill grade school and graduated from Lebanon High School in 1939.
Frank was a veteran of World War II, and joined the National Guard in 1938. He was inducted into active duty Sept. 16, 1940, and served with the 116th Medical Battalion of the 41st Division. He served in Australia and New Guinea, then returned to the States in 1944. He was re-assigned to Tulelake, Calif., Japanese interment camp and was discharged with the rank of staff sergeant in August 1945. Frank joined the Oregon National Guard Reserve in the early 1950s and served 20 years.
Frank married Myrtle Esdaile on Oct. 20, 1945, and they had four children together. They later divorced and Myrtle passed away in 1995. Frank worked for two years at Murphy's Dairy and then for 13 years at Cascade Plywood of Lebanon. He went to work at Wah Chang in Albany in 1960 and worked there until his retirement in 1986.
Frank married Pearl Dawson in 1971. They enjoyed their time together, traveling throughout the United States and Europe visiting friends and relatives. She preceded him in death in 2003.
Frank was a member of St. Edward's Catholic Church and charter member and past grand knight of the Knights of Columbus Council and faithful navigator of the Fourth Degree of Pope John XXII Assembly. In 1946, Frank, joined the American Legion, Santiam Post 51 and VFW Post 3572 and served as commander from 1962 to '63. For many years, as a member of the American Legion Drill Team and Color Guard, he participated in most of the Veteran and Memorial Day parades and ceremonies throughout the Willamette Valley. In November 1986, he was selected as Linn County's Veteran of the Year.
Frank volunteered wherever he was needed, at church and in the community. He enjoyed visiting with his family and many friends. Frank had a real passion for gardening, and grew lots of colorful plants, flowers and vegetables at his home. He was a very good man and will be missed by all who knew him.
He leaves behind daughter Susan Thayer of Selma; sons Michael Cray of Gresham, Jack Cray of Albany, and Ted Cray of Boise, Idaho; sisters Lucille Montgomery of Arock, Marie O'Leary of Paisley, Betty Young of Lebanon; brothers Mike Cray of Lebanon, George Cray of Hines and John Cray of Burns; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his sisters, Rose Sedivy and Ruth Cliff.
A funeral Mass will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at St. Edward's Catholic Church. Burial with military honors will follow at the Lebanon IOOF Cemetery.
Contributions in his memory may be made to St. Edward's Catholic Church Scholarship Fund in care of Huston-Jost Funeral Home, 86 W. Grant St., Lebanon, OR 97355 (www.hustonjost.com).
Albany Democrat Herald September 21, 2006
Franklin Joseph Cray, 85, of Lebanon died Monday at the Oaks in Lebanon.
He was born in Sweet Home, the son of Elliott and Leonie (Lyonis) Cray. He moved to Lebanon in 1926, attended Stoltz Hill grade school and graduated from Lebanon High School in 1939.
Frank was a veteran of World War II, and joined the National Guard in 1938. He was inducted into active duty Sept. 16, 1940, and served with the 116th Medical Battalion of the 41st Division. He served in Australia and New Guinea, then returned to the States in 1944. He was re-assigned to Tulelake, Calif., Japanese interment camp and was discharged with the rank of staff sergeant in August 1945. Frank joined the Oregon National Guard Reserve in the early 1950s and served 20 years.
Frank married Myrtle Esdaile on Oct. 20, 1945, and they had four children together. They later divorced and Myrtle passed away in 1995. Frank worked for two years at Murphy's Dairy and then for 13 years at Cascade Plywood of Lebanon. He went to work at Wah Chang in Albany in 1960 and worked there until his retirement in 1986.
Frank married Pearl Dawson in 1971. They enjoyed their time together, traveling throughout the United States and Europe visiting friends and relatives. She preceded him in death in 2003.
Frank was a member of St. Edward's Catholic Church and charter member and past grand knight of the Knights of Columbus Council and faithful navigator of the Fourth Degree of Pope John XXII Assembly. In 1946, Frank, joined the American Legion, Santiam Post 51 and VFW Post 3572 and served as commander from 1962 to '63. For many years, as a member of the American Legion Drill Team and Color Guard, he participated in most of the Veteran and Memorial Day parades and ceremonies throughout the Willamette Valley. In November 1986, he was selected as Linn County's Veteran of the Year.
Frank volunteered wherever he was needed, at church and in the community. He enjoyed visiting with his family and many friends. Frank had a real passion for gardening, and grew lots of colorful plants, flowers and vegetables at his home. He was a very good man and will be missed by all who knew him.
He leaves behind daughter Susan Thayer of Selma; sons Michael Cray of Gresham, Jack Cray of Albany, and Ted Cray of Boise, Idaho; sisters Lucille Montgomery of Arock, Marie O'Leary of Paisley, Betty Young of Lebanon; brothers Mike Cray of Lebanon, George Cray of Hines and John Cray of Burns; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his sisters, Rose Sedivy and Ruth Cliff.
A funeral Mass will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at St. Edward's Catholic Church. Burial with military honors will follow at the Lebanon IOOF Cemetery.
Contributions in his memory may be made to St. Edward's Catholic Church Scholarship Fund in care of Huston-Jost Funeral Home, 86 W. Grant St., Lebanon, OR 97355 (www.hustonjost.com).
Albany Democrat Herald September 21, 2006
Jan. 27, 1921 — Sept. 18, 2006
Franklin Joseph Cray, 85, of Lebanon died Monday at the Oaks in Lebanon.
He was born in Sweet Home, the son of Elliott and Leonie (Lyonis) Cray. He moved to Lebanon in 1926, attended Stoltz Hill grade school and graduated from Lebanon High School in 1939.
Frank was a veteran of World War II, and joined the National Guard in 1938. He was inducted into active duty Sept. 16, 1940, and served with the 116th Medical Battalion of the 41st Division. He served in Australia and New Guinea, then returned to the States in 1944. He was re-assigned to Tulelake, Calif., Japanese interment camp and was discharged with the rank of staff sergeant in August 1945. Frank joined the Oregon National Guard Reserve in the early 1950s and served 20 years.
Frank married Myrtle Esdaile on Oct. 20, 1945, and they had four children together. They later divorced and Myrtle passed away in 1995. Frank worked for two years at Murphy's Dairy and then for 13 years at Cascade Plywood of Lebanon. He went to work at Wah Chang in Albany in 1960 and worked there until his retirement in 1986.
Frank married Pearl Dawson in 1971. They enjoyed their time together, traveling throughout the United States and Europe visiting friends and relatives. She preceded him in death in 2003.
Frank was a member of St. Edward's Catholic Church and charter member and past grand knight of the Knights of Columbus Council and faithful navigator of the Fourth Degree of Pope John XXII Assembly. In 1946, Frank, joined the American Legion, Santiam Post 51 and VFW Post 3572 and served as commander from 1962 to '63. For many years, as a member of the American Legion Drill Team and Color Guard, he participated in most of the Veteran and Memorial Day parades and ceremonies throughout the Willamette Valley. In November 1986, he was selected as Linn County's Veteran of the Year.
Frank volunteered wherever he was needed, at church and in the community. He enjoyed visiting with his family and many friends. Frank had a real passion for gardening, and grew lots of colorful plants, flowers and vegetables at his home. He was a very good man and will be missed by all who knew him.
He leaves behind daughter Susan Thayer of Selma; sons Michael Cray of Gresham, Jack Cray of Albany, and Ted Cray of Boise, Idaho; sisters Lucille Montgomery of Arock, Marie O'Leary of Paisley, Betty Young of Lebanon; brothers Mike Cray of Lebanon, George Cray of Hines and John Cray of Burns; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his sisters, Rose Sedivy and Ruth Cliff.
A funeral Mass will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at St. Edward's Catholic Church. Burial with military honors will follow at the Lebanon IOOF Cemetery.
Contributions in his memory may be made to St. Edward's Catholic Church Scholarship Fund in care of Huston-Jost Funeral Home, 86 W. Grant St., Lebanon, OR 97355 (www.hustonjost.com).
Albany Democrat Herald September 21, 2006
Franklin Joseph Cray, 85, of Lebanon died Monday at the Oaks in Lebanon.
He was born in Sweet Home, the son of Elliott and Leonie (Lyonis) Cray. He moved to Lebanon in 1926, attended Stoltz Hill grade school and graduated from Lebanon High School in 1939.
Frank was a veteran of World War II, and joined the National Guard in 1938. He was inducted into active duty Sept. 16, 1940, and served with the 116th Medical Battalion of the 41st Division. He served in Australia and New Guinea, then returned to the States in 1944. He was re-assigned to Tulelake, Calif., Japanese interment camp and was discharged with the rank of staff sergeant in August 1945. Frank joined the Oregon National Guard Reserve in the early 1950s and served 20 years.
Frank married Myrtle Esdaile on Oct. 20, 1945, and they had four children together. They later divorced and Myrtle passed away in 1995. Frank worked for two years at Murphy's Dairy and then for 13 years at Cascade Plywood of Lebanon. He went to work at Wah Chang in Albany in 1960 and worked there until his retirement in 1986.
Frank married Pearl Dawson in 1971. They enjoyed their time together, traveling throughout the United States and Europe visiting friends and relatives. She preceded him in death in 2003.
Frank was a member of St. Edward's Catholic Church and charter member and past grand knight of the Knights of Columbus Council and faithful navigator of the Fourth Degree of Pope John XXII Assembly. In 1946, Frank, joined the American Legion, Santiam Post 51 and VFW Post 3572 and served as commander from 1962 to '63. For many years, as a member of the American Legion Drill Team and Color Guard, he participated in most of the Veteran and Memorial Day parades and ceremonies throughout the Willamette Valley. In November 1986, he was selected as Linn County's Veteran of the Year.
Frank volunteered wherever he was needed, at church and in the community. He enjoyed visiting with his family and many friends. Frank had a real passion for gardening, and grew lots of colorful plants, flowers and vegetables at his home. He was a very good man and will be missed by all who knew him.
He leaves behind daughter Susan Thayer of Selma; sons Michael Cray of Gresham, Jack Cray of Albany, and Ted Cray of Boise, Idaho; sisters Lucille Montgomery of Arock, Marie O'Leary of Paisley, Betty Young of Lebanon; brothers Mike Cray of Lebanon, George Cray of Hines and John Cray of Burns; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his sisters, Rose Sedivy and Ruth Cliff.
A funeral Mass will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at St. Edward's Catholic Church. Burial with military honors will follow at the Lebanon IOOF Cemetery.
Contributions in his memory may be made to St. Edward's Catholic Church Scholarship Fund in care of Huston-Jost Funeral Home, 86 W. Grant St., Lebanon, OR 97355 (www.hustonjost.com).
Albany Democrat Herald September 21, 2006
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