Duane Patrick Gray

Duane Patrick Gray was born on March 13, 1961, in Orlando, Florida, the beloved son of Mr. Louis Gray and Mrs. Angeleen Gray. His parents relocated to Wichita, Kansas when he was a young boy, where he attended Wichita Public Schools. He was a very good student with a constant appetite for learning and creating. Duane had high praise for his favorite teachers, Mrs. Winnetia Dennis and Mrs. Erma Markham, he said, ‘they got me’ and motivated

me to excel.”

Duane showed traits of being artistically gifted and had an affinity for anything musical. His parents noticed that his drawings were detailed and expressive, showing skills beyond his age. They also arranged for him to take piano lessons along with his sister, Rhonda, from Mrs. Roola Kelly. However, Duane soon discovered his talent for playing by ear, and the rest, as they say, is history. As a teen he loved to get together with other young musicians to practice music, wherever they could find a place to do it. Duane was raised up spiritually “in the way he should go”, along with his two sisters, Rhonda and Iris. Upon relocating to Wichita, the family united with the Saint James Missionary Baptist Church, along with Bennie & Evelyn Byrd, Duane’s paternal grandparents.

For more than 60 years, Saint James is still the family’s Home Church, to this day. Duane professed hope in the Lord and was baptized by Pastor J. P. Dennis, Jr., as the 3rd generation of his family’s church membership. He actively participated in youth ministries, Sunday School and other opportunities for spiritual growth, including the Junior Laymen. He enjoyed traveling with his family, church family and friends. In 1979, Duane graduated from East High School. He excelled in classes at Wichita Vocational-Technical Center, Wichita Electronics Institute and Wichita State

University. But it was at the New Horizon Computer Learning Center where his lifelong passion for computers was ignited, which enhanced his entrepreneurial plans for art and music. He worked as a computer services associate, and gained employment at medical centers, a music company, and other places.

As a young adult he enlisted in the United States Air Force and received basic training at the Lackland Air Force Base, was stationed at Castle Air Force Base, proudly served his country and received an honorable discharge. Later, Duane married Angela Gail Jones and was blessed with two daughters, Aerial and Farris. He named a business venture in their honor, “Air-Fair Graphics”. He was also a proud father to Travis, and to Montrez. In the late 1990’s,

Duane relocated to Denver, Colorado and remained as a longtime resident. He flourished in the Denver music scene, played guitar in a band and went by his stage name of “Zion”. In 2010, Duane organized “Zion Gray LLC”, and “Zion Gray Media” to showcase his advanced digital photography skills. Duane composed original songs, experimented with sound, and learned to improvise.

He formed a friendship with the Reverend Henry Armington of Denver, who recruited him to serve as a musician at his church in Denver, with the choir. As a lifelong learner, Duane actively pursued funding sources to continue his education. He attended metropolitan State of Denver and other places of higher learning to enhance his gifts and talents. He never adhered to a recommended curriculum, instead he took classes which aligned with his interests

and with what he valued most. He especially enjoyed his “Jam Sessions” with his Fine Arts Professors. Duane was proud of his large collection of art, music, and musical instruments and was a self-employed musician and artist. He would display and sell his artwork, as well as his original music.

He truly did everything “His Way “and relied on what he learned, and combined that with his entrepreneurial traits of resilience, self-motivation, adaptability, and taking risks, to develop innovative ways to draw upon his interests and passions to make a living.

Duane had a strong ability to weather life’s challenges. He never complained and showed his capability to adapt, even when he was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer. He remained true to his independent and private nature but still found ways to show his love and concern for his children. Even throughout his illness and in his final days, he made sure that his parents were comfortable and had everything they needed during their visits with him. Duane also expressed his gratitude for the impact that the Rocky Mountain Veterans Administration had on him for over a decade because of their responsive and compassionate care of him. He knew that the staff went “over and beyond” to meet his needs and give him the help he needed to survive in his day-to-day life.

Duane passed away peacefully on March 15, 2026, with his devoted parents by his side at the Rocky Mountain Veterans Administration Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado. He had fought a good fight in his battle with advanced lung cancer, and the Lord was with him through it all. When he passed away, the staff of the V.A. center gave a “Final Salute” to him in a touching ceremony.

He was preceded in death by his paternal and maternal grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, and one sister; Rhonda Gray Weaver, to whom he lovingly dedicated one of his original CDs. He leaves his beloved survivors to cherish their memories of him: two daughters; Aerial Gray and Farris Gray, two sons; Travis Franklin, and Montrez Black. Parents; Louis and Angeleen Gray; one sister; Iris L. Gray DeVine, all of Wichita, Kansas. Ten grandchildren who lovingly called him “Poppy”. Four nieces, one great niece, one great nephew, and other family members who will miss him. So, we are grateful for Duane’s life, love, and legacy and the impact he has made on others, and for God’s grace, mercy, and favor towards him.

A Celebration of Life Service honoring Duane Patrick Gray will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at 11:00 AM, at the Lakeview Funeral Home Chapel in Wichita, Kansas.

Family, friends, and community members are invited to come together to pay their respects and remember Duane's life and legacy.

For those unable to attend in-person, Duane's service will be livestream at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/c26046606310902