James D. Gray, 91, Stanley, ND, died Saturday, September 1, 2012 in Mountrail Bethel Home. His funeral will be Tuesday, September 4, at 11:00 a.m. at Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Stanley. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery, Stanley. Visitation is scheduled for Monday, September 3 from 2 to 5 p.m. A prayer service will be held Monday, at 7 p.m., at Springan Funeral Home in Stanley.

Jim was born September 19, 1920, in Stanley, to Harmon and Julia Gray. He attended Stanley School and graduated in 1938. Jim enlisted in the U.S. Air Force during WWII and was a belly gunner on a B-24 in the South Pacific. He was honorably discharged on March 17, 1946 and returned to Stanley.

On September 5, 1946, Jim married Elaine Noss in Stanley. They lived and raised their family in Stanley. He entered the creamery and dairy business with his father and brother in 1946. He was also a rural mail carrier for 23 years in the Stanley area.

Jim was a dedicated supporter of the Stanley Golf Club. He spent many hours supporting Junior Golf, High School Golf and helping any person young or old who wanted to start golfing. An avid golfer himself, Jim recorded 5 hole-in-ones on the Stanley Golf Course. He was instrumental in bringing grass greens to the golf course and helped plant many trees on the course.

In 1971, Jim established Gray’s Harley Davidson Golf Cars. At the time it was believed to be the only full time golf cart dealership in North Dakota. Jim believed people would play and enjoy golf more using golf cars. He ran the business until 1985 when he retired. Following his retirement, Jim and Elaine spent many winters in Arizona, California and Texas.

Jim served on the Stanley City Council, Fire Department and Hospital Board. He organized the Stanley Quarterback Club, which today is the Stanley Booster Club and served as its first president. Jim and Elaine were enthusiastic supporters of all SHS sports. They traveled many miles to support the various athletic teams. Jim was also an avid hunter and shared his hunting skills with many friends over the years.

Jim was a lifelong member of Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Stanley.

He is survived by his wife, Elaine, Stanley; daughters, Kathie (Bill) Everett, Point Venture, TX and Joan (Daryl) Drader, Rochester, NY; sons Bryan (Claudia) and Marshall (Jennine) both of Stanley; 11 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; brother, Bob (Mary Ann), Hutchinson, MN; sister. Monica Sullivan, Casa Grande, AZ. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, John.