Patrick Bray
Jerseyville |
Patrick John Bray, 51, died on Monday, June 10, 2013 as a result of injuries sustained in a workplace accident in St. Louis, Mo.
He was born in Jerseyville on March 19, 1962, and was one of eight children born to Robert & Joy (Crawford) Bray. Pat enjoyed being a part of a large family and hardly missed an opportunity to spend times with the ones he loved.
He grew up in Jerseyville, and attended Holy Ghost Grade School, and graduated in 1980 from Jersey Community High School., where was an All-Conference nose guard for the Panther Football team, participated on the wrestling team, as well as the Men's Choir.
He joined the U.S. Army and served at Ft. Riley, Kansas as well as a short stint in Germany for a short time where his passion for gunsmithing was born.
Surviving are his parents, Robert & Joy Bray of Jerseyville; his two daughters who loved him immensely, Kayla Bray and Kelli Bray both of Jerseyville; three granddaughters who referred to his as their "Poppy", Alexis, Alyse, and Alayna; his longtime companion, Angie Bland, and her son, Andy; two brothers & a sister in law, his twin brother, Michael Bray of Jerseyville, and Robert & Vicky Bray of Jerseyville; five sisters & brothers in law, Karen & Dean Davenport of Kane, Linda & Kevin Hetizig of Jerseyville, Sandra & Jim Lyles of Grafton, Joy Bray, and her companion, Mark Graham of Jerseyville, and Joanie & Shaun Buchaniec of Webster Groves, Mo.; his grandmother, Vi Crawford of Kane; along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Burl Crawford and John & Edna Bray; a brother in law, Donald Noll.
Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m.. Thursday at the Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville, where a Rosary will be recited at 2:30 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Friday at the Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Jerseyville, with Father William Hembrow officiating.
Burial will be in the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery in Jerseyville with the Jerseyville American Legion Post 492 conducting military graveside rites.
In lieu of flowers and plants, memorial donations may be given to an educational fund for his daughters & granddaughters through the funeral home.
Crawford Funeral Home
