Master Sgt. Kenneth F. Gray

Master Sgt. Kenneth F. Gray,  90, Hastings, passed away July 31, 2023, at home surrounded by his loving family.  Born in Carrolltown, August 8, 1932, the son of James and Gertrude (Blum) Gray.  Preceded in death by parents; loving wife of 67 years, Sara (Leone) Gray; brothers, Richard, James, John, and Fred Gray; sisters, Lillian Yeckley and Yvonne Puskar; son-in-law, Daniel Jackson and Michael Hauzie Sr.; and granddaughter, Kelly Morgan.  Ken is survived by his sister, Karen Bradley, Patton; daughters, Sharon Jackson, Hastings; Jackie Vella (Bruce Fink), Northern Cambria; Patti Gray, Hastings; Janet Fiasco, Hastings; Karen Pryce, Patton; and Katherine Gray (Raul Lopez), Round Rock, TX.  Also 13 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.  Ken retired from the U.S. Army as a Master Sergeant, having proudly served our country faithfully and honorably for 21 years in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars.  He was a Master Parachutist and proud to have been part of the 82nd Airborne Division and 101st Airborne, “Screaming Eagles”.  Among his medals and ribbons are Korean Service Medal w/3 Bronze Stars, National Defense Service Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal w/2 O/S Bars, Good Conduct Medal w/Bronze Clasp, 4 Loops.  Upon returning home after his service Ken worked for the Postal Service and retired after 15 years.  Member of St. Bernard Catholic Church, Hastings.  He enjoyed bowling, Bingo, card games, a good poker game, scratching lottery tickets, trips to the casino, watching the Pirates & Steelers, and betting on the ponies (Santa Anita in CA being his favorite track).  He adored and loved spending time with his family.  Ken will always be remembered for his kindness and generosity to others with a great sense of humor.  He had a loving and playful side, always joking and teasing his family and friends.  He gave each of his daughters several nicknames which he would lovingly call them.  He was the strongest of men, a man of faith and love, a true Soldier until the very end. He gained the admiration and respect of everyone he met with his genuine warmth.   A beautiful “burning light” in this world has now been extinguished and our world will never be the same again.  (A special thank you to his granddaughter Shannon Stoltz, our nurse, for the tender loving care she provided.)   Rest in Peace. Love you MORE!  Family and friends will be received from 2:00 – 4:00 & 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Thursday, August 3, at Moriconi Funeral Home, Inc., Northern Cambria.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 4, at St. Bernard Catholic Church.  Fr. Thaddeus Rettger, OSB, officiating.  Military honors by local veterans’ organizations.

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