George Donald Gray

(George) Donald Gray, age 93, of Cordell, Oklahoma passed away at Corn Heritage Village on April 18, 2024. He was born January 17, 1931, on a farm outside of Clinton, Oklahoma on the Washita River to George and Eddie Gray. After a brief time in Custer County, the family moved to rural Cordell. Donald made his profession of faith in Jesus Christ at the age of ten and was baptized in the Cordell First Baptist Church. When Donald was in the tenth grade, the family moved east of Burns Flat. Donald spent most of his life in the Burns Flat rural community. He married Juanita Strealy January 5, 1951, in the Burns Flat First Baptist Church parsonage. Together in love, they had three daughters.
Donald was raised a Master Mason in Foss Lodge on January 21, 1957, and consolidated to Cordell Masonic Lodge #127 A.F. & A.M. in 1977. He was a member for 67 years. In 1970, he was honored with the Rotarian Washita County Farmer of the Year award. He was ordained a deacon in 1973 and served in that capacity at the Burns Flat First Baptist Church and the Cordell First Baptist Church until his passing. He was a charter member of the Burns Flat Lions Club and served on the Burns Flat Cooperative Gin Board for 18 years. Outside of family, Donald's passion was being a caretaker of land and livestock. Donald & Juanita started farming in 1953 and purchased their first land in 1962. Not only was Juanita his beloved wife, but she was a partner and companion in their agricultural and ranching endeavors. In the 1980s, Donald became interested in oil and gas leasing and was engaged in the oil and gas business until his death. At the age of 84, he and Juanita retired from farming and ranching in 2015, but Donald never lost interest in his love for the land and cattle. In 2023, they moved to Cordell and resided there until Donald's passing. His lifelong accomplishments were not made without great sacrifice and challenging work. He took seriously the responsibility of being a good steward of what God had entrusted in him and was always quick to give God the glory and honor in all his successes. Although his voice was quiet, his words and character were full of strength.
Donald is survived by his wife of 73 years, Juanita, of Cordell; daughters and sons-in-law, Linda & Richard Dumas of Edmond, OK, Rita & Alvin Hawkins of Mountain View, OK, and Lavonne & Mark Helm of Emory, TX; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Jennifer Schreck (Mark) Taylor, Emma, Caleb & Charlie of Ft. Worth, TX; Brian (Kristin) Bottom & Kaydence of Edmond, OK; Lindsey Bottom & Graydon of Mountain View, OK and (fianc� Daron McDaugale; Kaisyn, McKessyn, & Walker); Brad (Crystal) Dumas, Chris (Brooke) & Allisa of Edmond, OK; brother, Harry (Jan) Gray; sister, Shirley (the late Roy) Goodwin; brother-in-law Elton (the late Josey) Haggard; sister-in-law Eva (the late Johnnie) Strealy as well as nieces, nephews, and friends. Donald was preceded in death by his parents George and Eddie Gray of Pasadena, TX and one sister Josephine Haggard of Irving, TX.
A celebration service, officiated by Pastor Terrell Romberg, will be held on April 22 at 2:00 at the Cordell First Baptist Church under the direction of Ray & Martha's Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Lawnview Cemetery, Cordell. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Cordell First Baptist Church. The family would like to express gratitude for the compassionate care given by Corn Heritage Village and Russell-Murray Hospice.