Robert Gray

Cowboy went to sleep at his home on Feb. 22nd with his loving family and caretaker surrounding him.

He was born October 15, 1917 to David Clark and Irene Waugh Gray on the family ranch southwest of Hamilton, MT. He was blessed with a large extended family who taught him the values of the satisfaction of hard work, and postponing purchases until there was enough money to pay cash for them.

Dad's involvement with many and varied forms of transportation began very early in his life. He got his first horse as a youngster. Jimmy was the beginning of a life long love of "good horse flesh." He rode him to school, to town, and all through the Bitterroot Valley. At age 9, Dad accompanied a group of Chicago businessmen on a pack trip into the Bitterroot Mountains. By this time, he and Jimmy had already discovered the best and most beautiful trails through the mountain canyons. Seven years later, these same men arranged for Dad to travel by train to experience the 1933 Chicago World's Fair, and to show him the sights in their corner of the world.

After graduating in 1935 from Hamilton High School, where he struggled with Latin, learned to dance the "Bitterroot Stomp", played football, and participated in track; he enrolled in the Washington State University's Veterinary Medicine Program. After two years, he returned to his beautiful Bitterroot Valley which he had missed so much. He had learned enough that he was able to doctor the many horses that he had throughout his life. Dad used his big brown bottles of horse linament to soothe any aches or pains that his horses, his dogs, or his kids had.

Dad's first business opportunity came in 1940, after proposing to our mom, he took his 7 horses and $100.00 and started the Bob Gray Riding Academy on University of Montana property. Close to the stables, mom and dad made their first home on the top floor of the Prescott Residence at the base of Mt. Sentinel.

In 1943, his love of country and his desire to learn to fly, led him to enlist in the U.S. Army Air Corps. While training in a flight simulator, the cabin had a loss of pressure and he suffered a stroke which left his right side paralyzed. Miraculously, he made a total recovery and was honorably discharged with a disabled veteran status.

Dad returned to Missoula to pursue more business ventures in the transportation field. He became a partner in Nash-Rambler car dealership in the late 1940's. He owned and operated Missoula's city busses in the early 1950's. In 1959, he bought the Yellow Cab Company and Hertz Rent A Car. He was also involved in the rise and fall of the infamous Ford Edsel during the 50's. However, his favorite and most passionate "business" of all was the buying, selling, and trading of horses and mules.

Cowboy wasn't big on traveling very far away from home. However, he managed to cover hundreds of miles on horseback with his string of pack mules, his most sure-footed horses and his many life long cowboy friends. His favorite place of all was his beloved hunting camp at the top of the West Fork of Indian Creek in the Fish Creek Drainage. Later in life he and our mom had wonderful winter getaways to Arizona where they hung out with friends, sat in the sun, and played countless rounds of golf.

Dad was a 55 year Master Mason, a Shriner, and a founding member of the Good Fellows. He rode his horses in the Missoula County Sheriff's Posse Drill Squad and he drove his golf cart at the Missoula Country Club.

Dad was pre-deceased by his parents, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and his favorite Cowgirl, Vi whom he was lucky to have for 65 years.

Our favorite Cowboy is survived by his daughter, Sheila Cordoza (Paul), his son, Bob Gray, Jr. (Coy), grandchildren; Kristin Booth of Seattle, Brian Booth (Beth) of Missoula, and great grandson Riley Gray Booth. He was blessed with a special clan of Swedish relatives that were a huge part of his life; they include sister-in-law Geri Rannberg, nieces and nephews: Jo Rusk, Monte Logan, Lanny Logan, Tootsie Meyers, Judy Linville, Valerie Bieber, Bob Brunson, Randy and Sandy Rannberg.

Our family wishes to express thanks to Dad's loving caretaker, Angie Barron, Partners Hospice and all the staff at Missoula Family Medical for all the concern and care they gave to our Dad.

Please join our family in a celebration of Cowboy's life on Sat. May 3, 2014, when the Bitterroots are blooming and the horses are running for the roses in Kentucky.

Cremation is under the care of Garden City Funeral Home & Crematory. Condolences and memories may be left for the family at www.missoulafuneralhomes.com



Read Robert Gray's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.