John Stephen Gray's Obituary
John Stephen Gray of Spanaway, Washington passed away peacefully at Madigan Army Medical Center on March 20, 2023, surrounded by his family after a hard fought and courageous battle with cancer.
John was born on August 1, 1944, the third of four children, to William and Gertrude Gray. He was born in Summit, New Jersey, and grew up on Staten Island, New York. He attended Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan, and graduated in 1962. He then studied at Clarkson University before enlisting in the Air Force in 1964, during the Vietnam War.
John proudly served his country as an active duty member of the U.S. Air Force for 30 years with a particular expertise in electronics engineering, in particular with weapons radar systems on fighter jets and the uncanny ability to troubleshoot almost any issue that arose. With his professionalism, leadership, expertise and ability to work well with both his superiors and colleagues, he achieved the rank of Chief Master Sergeant after only 14 years. John was a veteran, served during two wars, and selflessly traveled the world in defense of our country with duty stations in Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Iceland and Germany as well as several stateside and temporary duty assignments.
As a life-long learner, John completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Studies from University of Maryland summa cum laude while serving in the Air Force and earned a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from Pacific Lutheran University after retiring from the military, also summa cum laude. He then had a successful second career in Computer Science, a field he was truly passionate about.
John is survived by his wife of 53 years Chong, his three children Byong (Kim) U of Morrow, Georgia, Cindy (Athan) Tramountanas of Seattle, Washington, and William (Rebecca) Gray of Normal, Illinois, his four grandchildren, Manoli & Johnny and Stephen & Nicholas as well as two siblings Thelma (Russel) Moe and Cliff (Jo Ann) Gray.
We will miss John’s fighting spirit, his inquisitive nature, and sense of humor. His grace and mental toughness will also be remembered as he battled pancreatic cancer for over two years.
A funeral to celebrate the life of John will be held at the Garden Chapel at Mountain View Funeral Home & Cemetery in Lakewood, Washington on Friday, March 31, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. followed by a burial ceremony with full military honors.
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