Ray W Gregory

Ray W Gregory, 88, of Smithfield, UT, passed away peacefully at home on August 27, 2025. A graveside service will be held Monday, September 1st at the Smithfield Cemetery at 11 am. Afterward there will be a family luncheon at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Chapel, 660 W 200 N Smithfield, UT.

Born in Lewiston, UT, on May 20, 1937, to Douglas H. Gregory and Ruth West Gregory, Ray lived in Smithfield, UT, most of his life. He graduated from North Cache High School in 1955. While in high school he played football as a guard and played the clarinet and saxophone in the marching band. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He served a mission in the New England States spending most of his time in Connecticut. After his mission he had several callings in the Church: ward librarian, a tour guide at the Logan Tabernacle, and his favorite, serving as the Stake baptism coordinator. 

Upon returning home he started looking for a wife. He dated extensively until he was lined up with Anna June Payne and they hit it off. He proposed to her on August 20, 1960 and they were married on Nov 17, 1960. They lived in Logan near the hospital where Anna worked until Sept of 1962 when they bought a house and moved to Smithfield where they were residing at the time of his death.

Ray was a hard worker, he had his first job at age 10, riding the derrick horse to stack the hay in the barn. He worked at the sugar beet factory and at a grocery store stocking shelves. He always had a job and was able to buy a brand new car, a 53 Plymouth, when he was 16. Ray worked at Thiokol and was laid off from there, so he went to an Electrical Tech school, then was hired at Hill Air Force Base as an Aircraft Mechanic. Ray and Anna were able to spend 2 ½ years in Okinawa during the time he worked for the Air Force. It was a great experience with a highlight of becoming certified SCUBA divers while they were there. While in Okinawa he served as a counselor in the Branch Presidency and also served on the District Council. He eventually took early retirement and drove a school bus for several years before taking a final retirement.

A huge part of his life was spent helping his dad with his Thoroughbred racehorses. He eventually owned several himself. Many a family vacation was spent at the horse races. He also enjoyed snow skiing, water skiing, and 4 wheeling. Ray and Anna enjoyed going on cruises and decided to spend their children’s inheritance with them by taking them on many cruises. They said it was the best investment they ever made!

He is survived by his wife, Anna Gregory, siblings Darrell Gregory, Margaret Archibald, Mary Jo Hodges (Ted), Barbara Kment, his children Paul Gregory (Janice), Julie Parker (Craig), Lee Gregory (Denise) and Kris Gregory (Hollie), 16 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Zachery Gregory.