Gordon B. Bray, 80

Funeral services for Gordon B. Bray, 80, of Protem, were held Oct. 23, 2018, at the Gainesville Livestock Auction in Gainesville. Mr. Bray died Oct. 19 at Cox Medical Center-Branson with his loving wife and daughters by his side. 

He was born May 4, 1938, in Protem, the son of Hilton and Norma Wolf Bray. On Nov. 29, 1958, he married Joan Barnes from Omaha, Arkansas. They shared 59 years of marriage. 

The Brays were the owners of the Forsyth Sale Barn, Ava Sales Co. and Salem Livestock Auction. Mr. Bray was partners with his best friends, Buster Singleton and J.W. Guffey. He and Mrs. Bray operated Bray Cattle Co., a cow /calf operation, as well as being an order buyer of beef cattle for many feed lots.

Mr. Bray was a friend to everyone he met. He mentored several young men, helping them get started in the cattle business. He was loyal and dependable, and he delighted in helping his neighbors.

He is survived by his wife, Joan; four daughters and their spouses, Vicki  Singleton and husband Chris of Fordland,  Dana Box and husband Macky, and Tena Landry and husband Bobby, all of Protem, and Missy Grisham and husband Ray of Gainesville; seven grandchildren, Lindsey and Chris Wade of Ava,  Lance and Andrea Singleton of Spring-field, Emily and Nick Whistance of Dharmshala, India, Levi Hambelton, and Abby and Joe Rinehart, all of Protem,   Lincoln Grisham of Gainesville, Wyatt and Kiya Grisham of Pontiac; 13 great-grandchildren, Madison, Maddox and Jackson Wade, Gwyn and Gavin Singleton, Boulder, Augusta and Shepherd Whistance, Christopher and Regan, Landon and Adalynn Rinehart, and Kaleb Grisham; and his faithful dog, Bean.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his in-laws, Bob and Bertha Arnold Barnes.

Burial was in Wolf Cemetery, Protem. Memorial contributions may be made to the Gideons or to the Wolf Cemetery Fund. 

Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville, directors.   

Ozark County Times

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