Benjamin Gray

January 3, 2019. He was born in Onaway, Michigan to Esther and Orin Gray. He was

part of the Gray sibling group including Bob, Dick, Bill, Harry, Carol, and Tom.

Growing up in Onaway he had many childhood friends (including Gail Rieger…more on

her later). Moving into high school, Ben made a name for himself as an exceptional

basketball player leading Onaway High School far into the Michigan state tournament.

Onaway was a very small school and they were the Michigan version of the Indiana

tournament movie “Hoosiers”. After graduating in 1955, he continued his career playing

semi-professional basketball for car manufacturers. Their time with Onaway continued

during many summers as Ben and Gail would drive back staying connected with family

and friends.

That childhood friend of his (Gail Rieger) became his wife and partner in 1960 and

lasted 56 years until Gail’s transition in 2016. They brought their son Michael into the

world in 1961. With Ben vowing to never see snow again, they set out on an adventure

to California and brought their daughter Amy into the world in 1963. They eventually

settled in Garden Grove.

Ben soon landed a truck driving job with Pepsi Cola. With his high school diploma, his

self administered bachelor’s degree from the “School of Hard Knocks”, his knack for

solving problems, and his gift for making everyone feel listened to and respected…he

worked his way up through different positions until he was area manager of Southern

California. During his tenure Pepsi forced the Coca Cola giant to blink and change their

age old flavor and he kept the peace between labor and management. Ben did not

create a business work environment , he created a family work environment. He was

the patriarch of the Pepsi family and a mentor for not only work situations but personal

situations. He was the one that everyone went to. Ben was more than a co-worker , he

was a great friend to the Pepsi family.

After he retired from Pepsi, Ben threw himself into helping every church he attended.

Building new buildings, schools, spirit, working the soundboard, and helping with

financial needs was his specialty. He pitched in on vocals quite often while Gail played

the organ and piano. He continuously worked to improve himself as a husband, father,

grandfather, and person all of his years.

Ben was a character…and it came naturally. He carried himself the same whether he

was leading a high level business meeting or a house party. Humor, wit, jokes, caring,

inclusion, and vast people skills were his trademark. While we all aspire to leave a

legacy of goodness, Ben Gray did just that.

Ben’s legacy includes two children (Michael and Amy) and five grandchildren (Steven,

Jacob, Joshua, Johanna, and Jude).