Joseph W. Gray Jr.

Joseph W. (Pastor Joe)  Gray Jr, 82 went to be with His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Tuesday March 4 at Somerset Hospital.  He was born on November 6, 1942 in Sunshine, PA.  Preceded in death by father, Joseph W. Gray, Sr. and mother, Frances (Bezjak) Gray;  first wife, Audrey L. Zinn; sister, Flora Zieglar (Rusty);  brother, Gene;  and son Joseph.  Survived by loving wife of 33 years, Audrey J. (Wirick);  sister-in law, Janet Jeschonek; and brother-in law, Donald J. Wirick, Jr. (Sandi);  children, Jody Breakiron (Bob), Brian D. I (Debb); grandchildren, Taylor Kinney (Garrett), Kolby Hall, Brian D. II, Kyle (Bree), and Eric Trent; great-grandchildren, Mason, Tanner, Brian D. III, Brielle, and Avery, and a host of beloved nieces and nephews.

For 28 years, Joe was pastor of the Faith Christian and Missionary Alliance in Gray, PA.  He also served as a Park Ranger Supervisor for Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of State Parks, Laurel Hill State Park Complex, and retired with 22 years of service. He retired from the United States Air Force as a Special Agent with the Office of Special Investigations. Joe was a member of the Croation Fraternal Union, the National Fraternal Order of Police and the Veterans Leadership Program, where he volunteered with their veteran food distribution program in Johnstown, PA.    For 20 years, Joe provided religious services at the Highlands Hospital Tranquility Unit in Connellsville, PA.  For many years, he and his wife, Audrey, also provided music programs for the residents of Patriot Village Nursing and Rehab in Somerset, PA. Joe lived to help others.  He was a master craftsmen and artist.  He enjoyed woodworking, gardening, and painting and shared his abilities wherever he saw a need.  He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather; a friend to everyone he met, and a tireless shepherd to his church family.  His greatest life fulfillment, however, was to preach the gospel of Jesus to all he encountered wherever he went.   He was dearly loved and will be sorely missed. Family and friends will be received at the Robert H. Halverson Funeral Home in Somerset, PA on Saturday, March 8.  Visitation is from 10:00am until noon, followed by a service, officiated by Paul Troy.  Donations in his memory may be sent to the Faith Christian and Missionary Alliance in Gray, PA

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