In Memory

Steve Gray

Steve Gray

Steve Gray was born May 9, 1944 and grew up in Oklahoma until his family loaded up their car and a trailer with Steve, his brother Donald, the dog, and all their worldly possessions and moved to California in 1954.  He didn't go to elementary school locally with any of our classmates but moved to South Gate the first day of junior high.  With his personable, friendly personality, he began making many new friends right away.  

Steve worked a lot all through high school, so he wasn't able to participate in many extracurricular activities but had great memories of high school and considered those years some of the best years of his life.  He had many fun times at our football games and "sock hops."  He met fellow classmate Sharon Minkler in junior high and they dated in high school and were married in October 1964.   

Two weeks out of high school, Steve went to work for Sears in the appliance repair department and worked for Sears for almost 40 years.  He worked for 12 years in South Central LA and then had the opportunity to either move to Mission Viejo or Bakersfield in 1974.  They chose Bakersfield.  Steve and Sharon divorced in 1987, but they both remained in Bakersfield.  Although they lived separate lives, they kept in contact off and on through the years.  In 2021 when Sharon became ill in October and needed help, Steve's generosity and willingness to unselfishly help shined, as he came to her rescue, took her to doctor appointments, dropped off food and ran errands for her, before she passed away the end of December that year.

Steve loved baseball, played it, coached it, and absolutely loved and faithfully followed the Dodgers.  Besides baseball as his passion, he was an avid bike rider, thus his email address, "stevebikeguy..."  He enjoyed going to the lake and waterskiing trips with Ron Trusdall (W'62) and his wife Diane Carver (W'64), camping, trips to Cabo, and family barbecues. 

Steve met and fell in love with Sandy Barnes, and although they didn't marry, she was the love of his life and her family became his.  Although he didn't have any biological children, he was blessed to have "chosen-honorary kids, grandkids and great-grandkids" from his relationship with Sandy and "borrowed relatives."  He had a deep love for family and when Sandy passed away in 2014, there was a huge void in his life.  

Steve blessed our 50th and 55th Reunions with his warmth and caring personality, as he was a dedicated Reunion Committee member who called almost all of our reachable classmates to inform them about our upcoming reunions and encourage them to come.  Many of us were recipients of his friendly calls and willingness to take time to make you feel welcome at the upcoming reunions.  

Steve was surrounded by loved ones when he passed away on January 31, 2023 after a cardiac event. He is survived by his brother Donald, as well as his chosen kids, Raymond, Gail and Little Sandy, his dear friend, Carol Raglin Carver (W'62), and many nieces and nephews.  A Celebration of Life, held Saturday, March 4, 2023, honored Steve and friends and family were requested to wear Hawaiian shirts in Steve's honor, another of Steve's favorite things.  Steve will be dearly missed by so many.  Rest in peace, dear classmate.
  

 

Bakersfield.com/obits



 
go to bottom 
  Post Comment

03/03/23 07:57 AM #1    

Judy Hanson (Dillard)

Steve will be missed very much. He joined the Reunion Committee and was a great asset. I collaberated with him and enjoyed talking with him on numerous occasions. Sincerest condolences for all of his loved ones and may he Rest in Peace.


03/03/23 10:22 AM #2    

Bonnie Benson (Concialdi)

What a great guy Steve was!  He was so down-to-earth, honest, kind and friendly and had a great heart!  He did a fabulous job calling classmates and encouraging them to come to our reunions and was dedicated to getting long-time friends together, as well as giving us all the opportunity to make new friends with classmates we may not have known as well in high school.  Working together with Steve was a gift that Diane Curry Brewer, Judy Hanson Dillard and I especially received as we got to see his caring side and warm, down-home personality at work!  Even though he lived in Bakersfield, quite a distance from our Reunion Committee meetings in Orange County, he'd make that trip!  I also saw his love for family as he'd mention he'd just been to a family barbeque or seen "his granddaughter," etc.  We were in contact a lot when he was helping Sharon when she was ill and my heart was so touched at his unselfish caring and all he did for her.  I am so sad and know we just lost a wonderful friend.  God bless him and comfort his loved ones.   


03/03/23 02:20 PM #3    

Karen McCoulough (Blaylock)

Incredibly saddened to learn of Steve's passing.  We last spoke with him about 6-7 months ago and he complained about falling apart, which I thought he was thinking about the aging process which we are all experiencing.  Wish I would have asked him "how so?".  We did notice that his face didn't show up at the 60th reunion.  Joe and I had been talking about giving him a call to make arrangements for a visit to Baskerfield, and, of course, we didn't act on it soon enough.

He was so very kind!  We visited with he and Sandy both in Bakersfield and at our home in Alhambra.  Such fun, genuine people to be around.  

Thank you to who wrote the memories.  You hit the nail right on the head.  He was a wonderful man.


03/04/23 04:16 PM #4    

Carol Adams (Thalis)

So sorry to hear I remember steve he was a very nice person.


03/05/23 10:14 AM #5    

Gerald Ranney

I didn't run with Steve's circle of friends, but I remember him as an amiable guy. A cool dude in my eyes. RIP
 


03/06/23 02:09 PM #6    

Jim Blumel

I didn't know Steve, but I know about our kids that don't have my DNA. It's all the same. Glad he found that happiness.

 

 


03/08/23 12:36 PM #7    

Rachelle (Linda) McMinn (Resch)

I will miss Steve.  He was one of only  a few that I kept contact with he was one of my clients in the investment industry and our friendship continued after I retired.  I almost feel that he did not attend the last reunion because I did not go.  Other than the committee he said he did not know many others so if I did not go he probably would not.  Lesson to be learned.....One never knows what tomorrow hold.  Enjoy life and do EVERYTHING you can while you can!!!  Rest in Peace Steve...you earned it!


05/09/23 04:13 PM #8    

Carol Raglin (Carver)

Steve's family and myself want to thank you for your warm and thoughtful sentiments expressed regarding his sudden passing. Your words  touched our hearts. To quote a family member.....

 

 


go to top 
  Post Comment