Robert M. (Bob)

Robert (Bob) Melvin Gray, 100, of Greenville, passed away February 21, 2008. He was born April 17, 1907, in Silver Creek, Nebraska, to Melvin Lochiel and Augusta (Platz) Gray. He graduated from Scottsbluff (Nebraska) High School in 1925, and Elgin Watch College, Elgin, Illinois, in 1928. After graduation, he worked for the Santa Fe Railroad repairing railroad watches in New Mexico. Later, he worked in the Elgin Watch Factory before coming to Greenville to work as a watchmaker for Roy Wieland. In 1944, he opened his own watch repair shop on West Fourth Street, and in 1946 moved to his own building at 601 South Broadway. Bob retired from Gray’s Jewelers in 1976, and continued to repair watches in his home. Bob was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Greenville, White Shrine, and Ohio Eastern Star. He became a Mason in 1935, and served as past Master. Bob also served as president of both the Darke County (Antioch) Shrine Club and the Jeepster Club. He derived much pleasure from participating in parades with his red jeep, and from working in his garden. He is preceded in death by his two sons, James and Jack Gray, his brother Cameron, sister Thelma Gray, grandson David Gray, and first wife Alice (Stegall) Gray. Surviving are his wife of 52 years, Susan (Gutermuth) Gray; daughters Jeanne (Mrs. David) Keller of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Mary (Mrs. Craig) Kinnison of Greenville; grandchildren Amelia Keller, Bethany DuPuy, Sarah Gray, Laura Harris, Nancy Parkinson, Melissa Kramer, Debbie Schrader, Rebecca Litzky, Jon Gray, Karen Jago, and Jackie Rhoades; 12 great grandchildren; and 16 great great grandchildren. Visitation will be held at the Greenville Masonic Temple on Memorial Drive in Greenville from 2 to 5pm on Sunday, March 9. A service honoring Robert’s life will be held at 5 pm and a Masonic Lodge of Sorrow at 5:30. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, c/o Darke County Shrine Club, P.O. Box 623, Greenville, Ohio 45331.