Obituary

Quintin Allan Gray (Q) was 59 years old when he passed away peacefully in his sleep, in Moab, Utah on April 29th 2023.

Q was born in Amarillo TX 1963. His parents are Weldon (Butch) and Mary Gray. He had five siblings and too many friends to count. He spent 40 years married to Lori Aiken who he met cruising center street in Provo, UT. They lived in American Fork Utah for many years and then moved to Florissant, CO with his family in 1996. He belonged to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Q worked for National Ability Center in Park City, UT from 1989-1996. Once he moved to Colorado, he began working for Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center where he continued to do what he loved teaching adaptive ski lessons, he worked here for 24 years while volunteering for Telluride Adaptive Sports Program and the Disabled American Veterans Adaptive Programs.

Q loved to spend his days on the ski slopes or on the trials riding ATV’s. He was awarded disabled athlete of the year by State of Colorado.  In his later days nothing brought him more joy than spending time with his two beautiful grandchildren, Lillyann and Aria. Q led a life of perseverance and dedication. Being paralyzed at the age of nine no one could have imagined the things he would do with his life. Q never let anything slow him down, no matter the challenge he tackled everything head on and inspiring everyone fortunate enough to cross paths with him he left a little bit of something in everyone he met. Q was a man of honesty, passion and kindness. He is a man who always wore his heart on his sleeve.

Q left a legacy with us that will likely never be repeated, the life he led is one most abled body people can’t begin to imagine leading. Q did everything no one could have imagined him doing like, playing basketball, competing in marathons, skiing, racing cars, rafting rivers and so many more activities he was told he would never do. He loved his good ol’ American muscle cars. He had numerous GTO’s, chargers, Cadillac’s and mustangs. Inevitably owning fast muscle cars eventually resulted in him rolling a GTO in hobble creek canyon. He had snuck out his window and picked up some friends to go for a cruise up hobble creek canyon. As he raced up the canyon, he lost control on a corner rolling the car. In the aftermath of the crash, he came out without a scratch then proceeded to get a Charger soon after. Nothing could keep him from doing everything he loved.

Scott Mortenson was one of his closest friends in the 80’s Scott’s daughter Jes recalls a story from her dad about Q which shows how he lived his life “Quintin and I went out one day to spear carp. As we drove down a dirt road, Q drove his jeep over all the chuck holes he could find. As soon as we could see the carp running on top of the water, we stopped. If you haven’t ever been carp hunting, you’re missing out. The carp spawn in early spring, in the shallow water. So, all you need is a weapon: bow and arrow, gun, or just a baseball bat. Then wading through the mud and water, you shoot or bash the fish on the head. Its not much of a spectator sport, you have to get wet and bloody to enjoy it. Q does this with grace, getting wet from head to toe. He is also what most people call handicaped. I don’t think so. Sure, he can’t move his legs from the waist down, but we go everywhere together. If Quintin leaves his wheelchair somewhere, he will just “drag ass” around. To carp hunt I tie a rope around his chair and drag him out into the swamp behind me. To climb a fence, he just hops on my back. The only thing he can’t do is walk and pee on a bush, but who cares. His wife doesn’t care and neither should any of us. It’s a fact that he can’t walk but don’t pity him! Quintin Gray loves every minute of his life and always lives it to the fullest!”

Q found a way to even rides horses again, which is how he got hurt, tying a life jacket to the saddle for cushion and off he went. He has rebuilt his own cars. Including pulling out and replacing engines.

He would go on deer hunt every year with Cole, “glassing” (Bino’s) the areas for those elusive animals. Spent many hours with Skye, Cole and Lori and his Precious Treasures riding the ATV trails in the area and many hours on fishing trips to the lake or river and many other Grand Adventures that he would retell to all those willing to listen. Many trips to visit family in other states Wyoming, Califorinia and Utah.

Q loved his family, friends and spent his entire life encouraging, telling stories, loving them unconditionally. The last 5 years spent with his Precious Treasures was the Grandest of all Adventures and Accomplishments.  He would create stories and jokes to the girls which they loved. He would make special “deals” with them to help them learn about the world around them and make it fun for them. Skye loved spending the time with him out on the four-wheelers, fishing and shooting or visiting family members playing I spy or the alphabet game and slug bug. He taught her so much about cars and motor vehicles. They will truly miss them as will all who knew him. 

Q was survived by His wife Lori Aiken. His two children, Wesleigh Skye Gray Womack (Samuel). His son Cole Allan Gray. His two grandchildren Lillyann Rose Womack (precious treasure). Aria Mari Womack (peanut). He has a third grandchild on the way due July 20th Noelle Q Womack. Mary Catherine Jones Gray (Mother). Jean Leuck (Steve) Mother-in Law. Beverly Palmer, Mother-in-law.

Janine Whitney (Scott) Sister.  Valerie Brower (Michael), Sister. Jared Gray, Brother and Paul Gray, Brother. Diana Blackner (Rodney) Sister-in-Law, Vicki Garcia (Marcus), Sister-in-Law.  Mark Aiken, Brother-in-law. Rebecca Wayland (Larry) Sister-in-Law. Dorle Brower (Brian) Sister-in-Law.  Leslie Gray, Sister-in-law

Many Nieces and Nephews.  Tatton Blackener, Garrett, Jennifer, Zoey and Russell Blackner.  Bryce, Brittani, Owen, and Arisana Blackner. Brenden, Tyson and Ryan Whitney.  Jake, Kammi, Bristol and Michael Brower. Franki Jo (Brower) and Eddie Martinez.  Kelcee (Brower), Garrett, Dominic Brower and Koe Galey. Karlee (Brower) and John Cuzick. Kyndra Brower.  Skiyler Aiken, Bradie Aiken, Hunter Aiken and children. Logan Aiken and children. Kaleb Aiken. Shelby (Ben) Kimmick, Brandi and Bella Wayland, Briana and Aiden Aiken and Jake Wayland. Dakota and Jonathan Aiken. Brady, Bracken and Theodore Anderson, Drake Gray, Aiden Gray. Michael, Roxana, Shane Ryan, Michael Jr. Robbie Cheatwood. Jacqueline, Lukas, Brodie Brower and Kassidie Sweat. Kaydalynn and Aubrey

Preceded in Death by Grandma Ovie Gray, Grandpa Red Gray, Papaw and Nanaw Jones, Lael Gray (Brother), Jed Allen Brower (Nephew) Arvil Weldon Gray (Father), Sam Jones (Uncle) Jay Jones (Uncle), Herbert Aiken (Father-in-Law) and Joshua Aiken (Brother-in-Law).

https://www.mountainmemorialfh.com/obituary/Quintin-Gray