Basil D. Gray, 87, of Marshalltown, entered into eternal life, October 22nd, 2011, at Villa Del Sol in Marshalltown. Celebration of Life services will be held 10:30 a.m., Friday, October 28, 2011 at First United Methodist Church in Marshalltown. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, October 27, at Pursel Davis Funeral and Cremation Care. Interment will be in Rose Hill Memorial Gardens. Memorial donation in honor of Basil may be directed to First United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be sent at www.vogelfuneralhomes.com.
Basil was born December 31, 1923, in rural Bussey, Iowa, the son of Earl Asmon and Ethel (Tyrrel) Gray. He attended rural grade schools and graduated from Oskaloosa High School in 1941. He received a B.A. degree from Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls in 1944. He completed an M.S. degree in Education Administration at Iowa State College in Ames, Iowa in 1950.
Basil was united in marriage with Kathryn F. Hackbarth on August 15, 1945, at the Morgan Methodist Church near Dows, Iowa. They lived in State Center, Duncombe, Denver and Marshalltown, Iowa. He was Superintendent of Schools in Duncombe from 1950 to 1953 and Denver from 1953 to 1958. He was Principal of Glick Elementary in Marshalltown from 1966 to 1986, retiring then after 42 years in education. He also sold insurance part-time from 1952 until 2004. During this time he earned the Chartered Life Underwriters (CLU) degree.
Basil was a life member of the Iowa State Education Association and the National Education Association. He was also a member of First United Methodist Church, serving as chairman on many committees, Masonic Lodge, past president of Marshalltown Noon Lions, past president of the Marshall County Education Association and Marshalltown Education Association, and vice-president and legislative chairman of the Retired School Personnel.
Basil is survived by his daughters; Ellen Gray Garaffa and Lisa Gray, both of Treynor, sons; Monte Bruce (Elvira) of Johnston, Brian Drew (Katherine) of Marshalltown, grandchildren; Kathryn Gates, Michelle Andronikou, Brenton Gray, Donovan Gray, Sloan Gray, great-grandchildren; David, Haley, Jacob and Ethan Gates.
Basil is preceded in death by his wife, Kathryn, parents and his brothers; William, Edwin, Owen, Russell, Donald, Daniel, and sister, Doris Gibbons.

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