Janice Gray

Janice Gray, 89, of Kimberly, Idaho, passed away on April 26, 2025, surrounded by her children. She was born to Benjamin and Freda Tipton on October 14, 1935, in Grandfield, Oklahoma. She grew up in a farming family of 8 children on the plains of the Texas Panhandle near Levelland.

In 1956, she met and married Bud Gray. Their marriage lasted 64 years until his passing in 2020. In their life together, they lived in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Missouri, and in Idaho beginning in 1983. They had 3 children.

She was a lovely painter back in the day. Many family members and friends have her paintings. She had a very competitive spirit and loved playing any type of game at family gatherings. She loved all outdoor activities. She enjoyed fishing and hunting, including bagging her own bull moose in Idaho on the day after her 58th birthday. The week she turned 63, she hiked to the top of Cache Peak. She was an excellent cook, and you simply could not be in the kitchen without her by your side. She did not slow down until she had to do so.

She worked as a bookkeeper for many years outside the home, but her top jobs were as daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. At these tasks, she excelled. Her spirit was kind, and she loved with everything she had. She focused on the positive even in the most trying times. She always had a song in her heart and on her lips, warbling a cheerful wakeup song to her children on school mornings, much to their dismay. We are grieved to lose her, but we have a lifetime of great memories, and we know that she is now well again.

Janice was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Clyde and Arlis, sister Janelle, son-in-law Charlie, and her husband, Bud. She is survived by 4 sisters: Barbara Harding of New Braunfels, Texas, Bennie Colter of Lockesburg, Arkansas, Jo West of Cushing, Oklahoma, and Linda Simpson of Troy, Texas. She is also survived by her children: Karan Paulk of Kimberly, Tracy Gray (Janice) of Wylie, Texas, and Greg Gray of Boise. She is also survived by 5 grandchildren: Aaron, Casey, Zach, Avery, and Laura, and 3 great-grandchildren: Alli, Quinn, and Copper.

Janice was a faithful member of the Church of Christ since the age of 18, and attended in Twin Falls and Kimberly. She loved life and family while maintaining her faith and focus on the Lord and her eternal reward. Following her wishes, no formal service will be held. Her earthly remains will be interred with those of her husband in the South Hills, where we all had a lot of great times.

The family thanks the staff at Grace Assisted Living Memory Care and Visions Hospice. We greatly appreciate the kindness and respect you have shown in how you treated our mother.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family in the guestbook section below.