Service held for Jimmy Dwayne “J.D.” Gray

Jimmy Dwayne “J.D.” Gray, age 80 and a resident of Konawa, Oklahoma, passed away at his home, Saturday, August 14, 2021.

Funeral services were held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 17, at Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel in Konawa. Bishop Preston Draper officiated, and burial followed in Atwood Cemetery in Atwood, Oklahoma. Casket bearers were Justin Tremain, Shane Tremain, Josh Tremain, Johnathon Tremain, Randon Martinez, and Tyler Martinez. Honorary bearers were M. “Dean” Goforth, Keenan Martinez, Warren Rytting, Mikel Skaggs, and Ron Tremain.

J.D. was born at home September 10, 1940 in Atwood, Oklahoma to Homer L. Gray and Beulah Sarah (Griffin) Gray. He graduated from Atwood High School and attended the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Oklahoma. He was active in FFA in high school, and he loved sports. He played baseball and softball in Oklahoma City after graduation in 1958, and he was active in local rodeos.

He moved to Monte Vista, Colorado in 1978, and became the Shipping Superintendent for San Luis Central Railroad. He also worked for Purina Feed from 1958 until 1973, and he trained horses from 1973 until 2004. He received much pleasure from doing a good job.

After moving to Colorado, he married Carolyn Rytting who had three children. They also raised a young man, Tim Murphy, through his high school years. J.D. later moved back to Oklahoma and married Roy “Charlene” (Wikle) Sanders on June 23, 2012 in Choctaw, Oklahoma.

He was a member of the Konawa Baptist Church, and he attended church with his wife at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He and Charlene traveled twenty states across the nation.

He is survived by his wife, Charlene Gray of the home; two sons, Joe Paul Rytting and wife, Maria of Gurnee, Illinois, and Warren Rytting and wife, Malisa of Charleston, Arkansas; three daughters, Dayna Lanette Gray and Ronald Dale Tremain of Choctaw, Oklahoma, Debra Denise Gray of MonteVista, Colorado, and Jeniffer Rytting and Phil Aderinto of Mesa, Arizona; one brother, M. “Dean” Goforth; two sisters, Patsy Mozell Gray of Ada, Oklahoma, and Marcella Claudine Gray and Gerald Baily Rogers of Enid, Oklahoma; eleven grandchildren, Justin and Tosha Tremain, Josh and Tracy Tramain, Johnathon Tremain, Keenan and Abby Martinez, Tyler and Heidi Martinez, and Randon and Hannah Martinez; eight great-grandchildren, Devon and Victoria Tremain, Shane and Shelby Tremain, Isaac and Sofia Tremain, and Chase and Wyatt Martinez. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren would light up his eyes with joy.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Beulah Gray; one brother, Raymond Gray; and three sisters, Lexie Denton Hays, Lora Sims, and Elvenia Goforth.