“88 and out the gate!”

Paul’s motto on his last birthday.

His unique sense of humor led most conversations up until the end of his life!

Paul Thomas Gray, 88, passed away on Friday, March 7, 2025, in Santa Maria, California. He was living with family and surrounded by love during his final days.

Paul was born on December 14, 1936, in Ft. Smith, Arkansas to Doyle and Thelma Gray. He attended schools in Ft. Smith and Mena, Arkansas; Wayne, Michigan; and Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

He joined the Air Force in 1956, and served for 21 years, the last four as a recruiter in Southern California. His favorite job in the Air Force was working on the electronic systems of F106 jets on the flight line. He later put together an electronic systems training program for AC130s and traveled around the country to train others. After retiring from the Air Force, he owned and operated a strawberry packaging business that operated in Oxnard and Santa Maria, California.

Paul earned his pilot’s license and spent many joyful years flying around the country, only stopping when he was forced to because of an eye issue.

He retired in the late 1990s, and after spending most of his life moving every four to six years he moved to Lake Almanor, California with his wife of 51 years, Mary. He finally found his true home and lived there for the last 30 years of his life. Paul was a member of the Lake Almanor Country Club, and he made lifelong friends golfing and socializing at the Country Club, as well as making many story-worthy trips.

Paul loved animals and had many pets in his life. His most endearing pets were the Golden Retrievers that he adopted over the last fifteen years of his life. He loved and pampered Clover, Aspen, and most recently, Bentley. His children often joked that he loved these dogs more than them. Per his wishes, Bentley is now living with his daughter Joanne and her husband Brian, who love him dearly.

Paul is survived by his children, Jean Gray, Shady Cove, Oregon; Susan Gray, Orcutt, California; Patrick Gray, Oxnard, California; Joanne (Brian) Shannon, Orcutt, California; his grandchildren, Crystal Dolan, Bradley and Christopher Blocker, Alyssa Anadon, Austin and Ashley Gray, and Seanna Moens; his great-grandchildren, James Guzman, Paige and Addie Dolan, and Grayson and Easton Anadon. He was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Marietta (Mary) Gray; his son Michael Gray; his siblings, Betty Hoefer, David Gray, and James Gray; and his parents, Doyle Gray and Thelma Oster.

Funeral services for Paul will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, March 17, 2025, at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery located at 32053 West McCabe Road, Santa Nella, California 95322. A Celebration of Life will be held this summer in Lake Almanor.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honor of Paul’s love for Goldens to: Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue at 7495 Natomas Road, Elverta, CA 95626.

Arrangements are under the direction of Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory and Memory Gardens.