Gerald John Gray Sr.

We bid farewell to Gerald John Gray Sr. (84) who passed away at his home on February 10, 2026, surrounded by his wife, and his 5 children. Gerald was born on November 9, 1941, on the Blackfeet Reservation in Browning, Montana, and he was currently a resident of Salem, Oregon. His passing leaves a void in the hearts of many.

A passion for life, his family and a passion for education, with a strong focus on the education of Indian youth, Gerald was able to fulfill his dreams spending over 40 years working with and for Native populations throughout the US.

Growing up on the Blackfeet Reservation in Browning, Montana, gave Gerald a foundation and a desire to encourage and better the lives of Native youth through education. He graduated from the University of Montana in 1965 and began his career in teaching students in Wolf Point, Whitefish, and Rocky Boy, Montana. He furthered his career by obtaining his master’s degree to enable him to become a school principal and superintendent on the Rocky Boy Indian Reservation in Montana. From Montana, he became the Superintendent at the Chemawa Indian School in Salem, Oregon for 14 years. He also served as a Superintendent of Schools on the Mescalero Reservation in New Mexico for 3 years.

Always focused on the improvement of Indian Education, he diverted his skills by becoming an education/administrative consultant along with his twin brother in a firm (Bear Chief & Associates) that served reservations requesting services in Indian Education and tribal affairs.

A portion of his life was also spent as Vice President of Government Relations with G + G Advertising working with tribes throughout the United States. It was in this line of work that Gerald experienced the positions as a film director, researcher and Government Liaison specialist.

Gerald loved his work, and it was evident in how he lived his life. He never fully retired, as he accepted a position with the Heart Butte Schools in Montana after his official retirement, and after a 3 year position, he directed his passions to becoming the director of the Little Shell Tribal Language Program in Great Falls, Mt., which he held until his 83rd birthday.

During the late 1960’s, Gerald served as a National Park Ranger at Glacier National Park during the summer months. He also served 7 years in the Montana National Guard, with basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington. He also was a U.S. Commissioner on the National Indian Arts & Crafts Board, Washington, D.C., and was the President of the National Consortium of Effective Residential Indian Schools.

Awards and honors came with many of his jobs, to name several: US Dept. of the Interior Award for Leadership and Outstanding Accomplishments in Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention; Outstanding Indian Educator in the State of Montana; National Indian Tribal Youth Certificate of Recognition for Leadership, and the Montana Indian Hall of Fame Induction in 2018 (Boxing). He also s

He was always so proud of his accomplishments as a Golden Glove Champion Boxer who was trained by his father from an early age and onto his last bout in his early 20’s.

He truly fought the good fight in the ring and out always trying to help others. Above all, Gerald was a family man. He shared 60 years of marriage with his beloved wife, Joanne, and together they built a life rooted in love, resilience, and life-long memories. He leaves behind his wife, five children and their families: Gerald, Jr. (Wanda), Michael (Rebecca), David, Joani (Raymond), and Sarah (Coty), along with 14 grandchildren (Jerrid, Kayla, Zachary, Joshua, Tyler, Joe, Hayden, Colton, Jack, David, Jr., Olivia Gray, Gracie and Forest Wheeler and Shae Lynn Boggs, 5 great grandchildren. -- Cree, Hadley, and Sullivan Gray, Ayaina and Kendre Boggs, his sister, Marilyn, extended family members, and friends who will carry his memory forward. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Josie Gray; his twin brother Harold; brothers Darryl and Joe, his sister, Doreen, and daughter-in-law, Katrina.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Great Falls, Montana, in July, 2026. A Mass will also be held at the Little Flower Catholic Church in Browning, Montana, with burial at Willow Creek Cemetery, set against the mountains of Glacier National Park --- a place Gerald loved deeply and called home in his youth.

Check Virgil T. Golden website, Salem, Oregon for an update on the time and service details.