Howard Richard Gray, age 75, died August 21, 2020 following a short battle with Interstitial Lung Disease.

Born October 5, 1944, in Malad, ID to Elmo Austin Gray and Nadine Dunn, Howard grew up in Lehi, UT, graduated from Lehi High School, and joined the Utah National Guard. He earned his BS and MA degrees at Brigham Young University and a Ph.D. at Penn State University. After several years teaching at Radford College in Virginia, Howard returned to Brigham Young University, where he taught recreation and gerontology for 33 years. Howard loved working with students and with the Special Olympics and Huntsman World Senior Games. After his retirement in 2013, he continued to work with AARP and served as an ombudsman for the elderly in care centers.

Howard married Sharon Pearl Reed in the Manti Temple in 1968 and enjoyed 53 years of happy family life. Sharon, their four children and thirteen grandchildren were his favorite things. Howard was effusive in showing his love to his family and made sure they always knew how much he cared for them. Howard had a huge personality and shared his enthusiasm with all those around him. He loved to entertain with amateur magic tricks, jokes, and songs. He had a lasting impact on many lives, and always brightened the day of strangers and friends alike.

Howard found great joy in church service. As a young man, he served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Switzerland, then several church service missions at BYU-Hawaii following his retirement. He held many different leadership roles within the church, including Bishop, Branch President and Gospel Doctrine teacher, though his favorite callings were as Basketball Coach, Scout Master, and Primary Teacher. He loved the scriptures and left detailed journals recording the events of his life and spiritual insights.

He is survived by his spouse Sharon Reed Gray, children Sheridan Gray-Jones, Austin (Emily) Gray, Jordan (Elicia) Gray, Mardi (Joel) Broadbent, grandchildren Gray Broadbent, Rowan Redmond, Lucy Gray, Atticus Gray, Ridge Broadbent, Holden Broadbent, Kiera Redmond, Juniper Gray, Gavin Gray, Talmage Gray, Indigo Gray, Maggie Redmond and Simeon Gray, and siblings Lynda (David) Monson, Karen Harmon and Sandra Henderson. He was preceded in death by his parents Elmo and Nadine Gray, sister Nada Lux, and son-in-law Jeffrey Jones.

Visitation (with social distancing) will take place Wednesday, August 26 from 6:30 to 8:00pm in the Lindon 18th Ward: 250 W 600 S in Lindon. A Funeral for immediate family will be held in the morning on Thursday, August 27, followed by a graveside service open to all at 11:00am at the Lehi Cemetery. Bring a chair and shade umbrella and please wear a mask.