Rev. Marion Walker Gray, Sr., 81, of Edgemont, South Dakota, went to be with his Lord, Tuesday, November 7, 2017, surrounded by family members and his pastor, Bro. Jody "Jo" Cormier, at Rapid City Regional Hospital.

A memorial service will take place Sunday, November 12, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. with committal service immediately following. Rev. Gray's wishes were to be cremated and his ashes laid to rest at the Edgemont Cemetery. A light meal and fellowship will follow at Edgemont Baptist Church.

Rev. Gray was born in Star, Mississippi, on November 18, 1935, son of the late Charles and Alma Gray. He and his high school sweetheart, Dora Louise Thorn, dated all four years of high school and were married on August 6, 1955 at Briar Hill Baptist Church in Florence, MS.

In his early adult life, Rev. Gray was an apprentice with Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home in Jackson, MS. He attended Mississippi College in Clinton, MS. He was ordained into the gospel ministry on October 4, 1959. He pastored several churches in Mississippi and always served bi-vocationally.

In the summer of 1978, Rev. Gray and his family moved to Edgemont, SD, where he completed the remaining 33 years of his pastoral duties at Edgemont Baptist Church. He loved ministering to others during their time of need. He officiated many weddings, baptisms, and funerals and made countless hospital visits. He was a faithful member of Edgemont Baptist Church and the Edgemont Ministerial Association. Bro. Marion supported Gideon's International, doing his pastoral part to spread the Gospel throughout the world. While serving as a bi-vocational pastor, Marion drove a transport truck for Nelson's Oil and Gas for 14 years.

Rev. Gray's hobbies included woodworking and painting, of which many pieces he gave away to family and friends. Some of his work is still in use today at Edgemont Baptist Church. Gardening was another passion of his, especially growing tomatoes and peppers. He often offered a tomato and mayo sandwich to friends who stopped by to visit.

Rev. Gray was a much-loved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He treasured spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren when they came to visit. He will be greatly missed by his beloved wife of 62 years as well as his family and by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife, Louise of Edgemont, SD; sons, Nathan (Janna) Gray of Nampa, ID; Charles (Trisha) Gray of Florence, MS; Marion (Darlene) Gray, Jr. of Pearl, MS; daughters, Deborah (Adrian) Harrison of Branson West, MO; Sandra (Brian) Childers of Edgemont, SD; sisters, Kathryn Glass of Star, MS; Christine McCann of Star, MS; 11 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

Marion is preceded in death by his parents and great grandson, Aiden Walker Naranjo.

A memorial has been established in Marion's name to benefit the Edgemont Baptist Church.