Robert "Bob” Franklin Gray, age 69, passed away at 9:00pm on March 20, 2020. After a fall that morning, Bob had sustained a brain injury that because of his other health issues, was deemed inoperable by competent medical doctors. He passed away at a local hospital in Boise, Idaho, surrounded by family.

Bob was born on April 7, 1950 in Fort Ord, California. He was the son of the late Dudley Gray and Ila Ellen Washington. After his parents' early divorce, Bob was primarily raised by his mother, Ila. Later in life, Bob wanted to know more about his dad and was thrilled to find out that he was not an only child! Bob was able to reconnect with his dad and meet his half-siblings: Linda Gray Bryant, Junior Gray, Douglas Gray, Howard Grey, and Linda Grey Wilson.

As Bob was growing up, he always knew he wanted to join the U.S. Marine Corps. When Bob turned 18 in 1968, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and left for boot camp just hours after his High School graduation ceremony ended. Bob went on to serve in the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1974 with the 26th Marine Regiment. While serving in the Marine Corps, Bob received several military honors and ribbons including the Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, The National Defense Service Medal, M-14 Rifle Expert Badge, and 2 Vietnam Service Medals. Following his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, Bob served in the reserve military for several years. Continuing his life of service while living in Tooele County, Utah, Bob was an active member of the Grantsville Volunteer Fire Department and Tooele County Search and Rescue.

Bob dedicated over 49 years of Federal Service to the Army, Navy, and Coast Guard to include Tooele Army Depot, Naval Station Adak, Army Ft. Wainwright, and Coast Guard Base Kodiak. In September 2017, Bob retired as an Environmental Protection Specialist with the Coast Guard and relocated to Meridian, Idaho.

Bob was a devoted and honorable member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints whereupon moving to Idaho, he served a year-long mission with his beloved wife, Cindy, at the Church Records Operation Center in Boise, Idaho. Bob continued his church service as the chaplain for VFW chapters in both Kodiak and Meridian, most recently VFW Post 4000. In addition to serving as a chaplain, Bob was also a key member of the District 5 VFW Honor Guard in Meridian, Idaho.

Over his lifetime, Bob loved to do as much as he could to help those in need wherever and whenever. While living in Alaska, Bob became a professional auctioneer and went on to use the skills learned in his training to help local charitable and non-profit organizations. While living in Meridian, Bob was also known to frequently honor and welcome home military service members, past a present, giving many a military challenge coin to mark their service.

In 1975, Bob married the late Carol Ann Pettet with whom he had two children, Dawn and Derek. Bob and Carol were later divorced in 1983. On May 3, 1985, Bob married Cindy Lynn Lemmon in Granstville, Utah; together they had a daughter, Carly. Bob, Cindy, and Carly were sealed as an eternal family in the Boise Idaho Temple on May 23, 2015. Along with his loving wife Cindy, Bob is survived by his children and their families: Dawn, Derek (Elizabeth - children, Robert, Branwen, and Elspeth) and Carly (Joshua - stepson, Aaron).

Interment at the Boise Veteran’s Cemetery with full military honors will take place at a later date to be determined. Condolences can be sent to Bob’s wife, Cindy, via email at candybear39@hotmail.com. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to charitable organizations that were near and dear to Bob - your local VFW chapter or to the Wounded Warrior Project. For more information on these charitable organizations and to make a donation, you can visit www.vfw.org/find-a-post or support.woundedwarriorproject.org/.

Semper Fi