Donna Jeanette (Leek) Gray, age 87, passed away on December 31, 2025. Donna was born on January 19, 1938, in College Springs, IA to John R. Leek and Mildred V. (Jackson) Leek, followed by her three brothers, Larry, Dennis and Rodger. She graduated from New Market High School in 1956, and she married her high school sweetheart Merlin LaVon Gray on June 10, 1956. They met when Merlin’s mother, who was a teacher, lived weekly during the school year with the Leeks, leading to Merlin and Donna dating and then marriage.
After moving to Kansas City, MO she began working for National Bellas Hess, a national catalog sales company,. The couple had three sons, DeLain E. Gray, Clifford R. Gray, and Jeffrey R. Gray, and with their nurturing, all three became Certified Public Accountants. After Jeff started school, she began a long career with Contech, Inc. as a screen printing specialist.
Donna and Merlin were dedicated in their service to McMurry United Methodist Church, where they held numerous leadership positions in support of the broader McMurry community. They developed extensive lifelong and close personal relationships with their fellow co-members of McMurry.
She was preceded in death by Merlin, her parents, and her brother Larry Leek. She is survived by her three sons and daughters-in-law DeLain and Cyndi, Clifford and Mary, and Jeff and Martine, and her brothers Dennis Leek and Rodger Leek. Merlin and Donna had ten grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.
Visitation is scheduled for 1pm, January 5, 2026, at Newcomer’s White Chapel Funeral Home (6600 NE Antioch Rd, Gladstone, MO 64119), with the Celebration of Life to follow at 2pm.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to McMurry United Methodist Church (25 N Eugene Field Rd, Kansas City, MO 64119).
Pallbearers will include Casey Gray, Ian Gray, Zachary Gray, Tyler Gray, Jackson Gray, and Ian Graves. Andrew Gray will serve as an honorary pallbearer.
