Michael Lynn Gray, 66 years old, devoted husband, father, and follower of Jesus, passed away on April 18, 2024 in Columbus, GA. Mike (aka “Greenie”) was born in Decatur, Il on October 10, 1957, the eldest of 7 children born to Edna and Earl M. Gray Jr. Mike was raised in Mt. Zion, Il and graduated from Mt. Zion High School in 1975. He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed rooting for the Chicago Bears and St. Louis Cardinals. Mike enjoyed bowling, golf, and playing slow pitch softball for many years. Mike was known in recent years for his frequent walks around Columbus and being one to never meet a stranger.
Mike married Lori Myrvold Heimlich in 1989 and became a second father to Brittany and then together had a son, Aaron. Mike worked at Wagner Castings in Decatur, Il, Havana, Il, and then transferred to Columbus, GA where he retired after a career spanning over 30 years.
Mike is survived by his wife, Lori, daughter Brittany Tawdrouse (John) of Harker Heights, Texas, and son Aaron Gray (Meghan) and granddaughter, Madelyn of Biloxi, MS. He is expecting his second granddaughter by Brittany in September 2024. His stepmother Cheryl (Gray) McElroy; and siblings Cynthia Denny, Earl M. Gray III (Emily), Christopher Gray (Vicki), Susan Derhak (Al), Lisa Hanks, Teresa Ross, Leanna Giltmier (Brett); many nieces and nephews, and cherished friends.
Mike is preceded in death by his parents and grandparents. Per Mike’s wishes, he will be cremated and buried next to his father in Mt. Zion Cemetery at a later date.
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” -2 Corinthians 4:16-18
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