Deborah Kay Gray

On Monday, January 2, 2023, Deborah Kay Gray, of New Braunfels, Texas, at the age of 70, was called home to be with her Savior. Our family will never be the same as we lost a devoted wife, a loving mother, a doting grandmother, and a thoughtful friend.

Deborah was born on December 17, 1952, in San Antonio, Texas to Thomas and Muriel Alexander and was the oldest of two children. Deborah received her Registered Nurse Certificate (RN) from Del Mar College on November 16, 1972 and even holds a current RN certification to this day. Her passion was surgery, and she gained her Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR) designation while serving as a Director of Surgery. In her time as a Director of Surgery, she consulted on the invention of the "Bear Hugger" which is now used all over the United States to keep patients warm in the emergency room or going into surgery. She was one of the nurses to "scrub in" on the very first "gastric sleeve" surgery which is now practiced all of over the world. As a Certified Case Manager (CCM), she became the sole nurse Transplant Coordinator for a Texas-based Insurance company serving 80+ patients at any given time. During her extensive career, she would always slow down to take the time to work with her staff to help them reach their highest potential.

As a wife, mother, daughter, grandmother, friend, Deborah loved hard and was passionate about her family. She had a love for "antiquing," and her home was filled with so many interesting things from the past. She loved color, crafting, painting, and of course, her pig figurines. Her impact on our lives has been tremendous, and we will forever hold her close in our hearts.

Deborah was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband of 35 years, William Edmund Gray of New Braunfels, Texas; her sister Lisa Jones and husband Ronnie of Tucumcari, NM; daughter Jennifer Alvizo of Kyle, TX; son Jon Lengefeld and wife Alex of New Braunfels, TX, step-son Beau Gray and wife Carrie of Conroe, TX, three granddaughters, Meia Alvizo, Elena Lengefeld, and Savannah Tyler, and three grandsons, Steele Gray, Major Gray, and Crew Gray, a great-granddaughter, Meadow Tyler, and many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 2:00pm at Zoeller Funeral Home, 615 Landa St, New Braunfels, TX 78130. Any donations in her name are encouraged for Hope Hospice and Donate Life America.