TOPEKA, Kan. – Ross Gray, 91, passed away on Monday, Aug. 7, 2017, at the Veteran’s Home in Winfield, Kan. He was born on March 21, 1926, in Lyndon, Kan., the son of Wayne and Ruth Rankin Gray.

Ross grew up in Lyndon, where he graduated from Lyndon High School in 1943. He had lived in Hiawatha, Kan., for a time before moving to Topeka, Kan.

Ross served in the United States Navy from 1944 to 1946 in the Pacific Theater. He and his ship, the U.S.S. Chevalier, were in Tokyo Bay when the Japanese surrender was signed. He came home to Lyndon and farmed with his dad and brother, Tom, for several years. He then joined the Kansas Highway Patrol and served as a trooper and then pilot, serving for 28 years.  He was a member of the American Legion, the Troopers Association, the Kansas Peace Officers Association, the Susana Wesley United Methodist Church, the Optimist Club, and Moose Lodge.

On April 25, 1948, Ross was married to Caroline Chamberlain, in Leavenworth, Kan.

Ross was preceded in death by his wife Caroline of 66 years on May 30, 2014; by his son, Larry Gray in 2000; and by his brother, Tom Gray in 2004.

Ross is survived by his son, John (Anne) Gray, of Lyndon; and five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Graveside memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13, at the Lyndon Cemetery.

Memorial contributions for the Kansas State Troopers Foundation, for scholarships, may be sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Ave., Lyndon, KS 66451. Online condolences for the family may be left at feltnerfuneralhome.com.