Gary Gordon Gray, 83

Gary Gordon Gray, 83, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021, at Peace Hospice in Great Falls with his family by his side. He suffered from Alzheimer’s for many years.

Gary was born on July 12, 1938, in Great Falls to Beatrice and Emil “Chappie” Gray. He graduated from Great Falls High School in 1956, where he was active in all sports including, track and football. He was married on Aug. 22, 1959, to Charlotte “Charlie” Svennungsen who survives him. They were married for 62 years.

He is survived by three daughters, Kari (Larry) Windnagle of Kalispell, Teresa Costa, also of Kalispell, and Nancy Martin of Great Falls; sister, Mary Jo (Randy) Ecker, of Billings; brother, William (Sharon) Gray, of Gold Canyon, Arizona; eight grandchildren, Amber (Andrew) Clegg, Alex Windnagle, Catie Costa, Anna (Hank) Costa, and Joey Costa, all of Kalispell, Cole (Lizzy) Martin of Dallas, and Mackenzie (Russell) Flanigan and Cody Martin, all of Great Falls; and three great-grandchildren, Charlie and Henry Clegg and Riah Costa, all of Kalispell.

Gary was the owner and CEO of Interstate Counseling Service and Interstate Recovery Service. He retired in August 2019 after 60 years of dedication. Gary enjoyed the outdoors snowmobiling at Swan Lake, fishing in Canada and Alaska, and hunting elk was his favorite. Family time at the Lake House on Swan Lake will always be remembered. His good looks, humor, smile, and larger than life heart will be greatly missed.

The family will have a celebration of Gary’s life at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at 800-272-3900, or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at 800-344-4823.

Condolences for the family may be shared online at www.schniderfuneralhome.com.