Ruth Gray

Ruth Hunt Gray, 77, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, entered the arms of our loving Heavenly Father on May 29, 2018, after fighting a courageous battle with cancer. Ruth was born on October 5, 1940, to Lester and Leda Hunt in Idaho Falls, Idaho, the youngest of five children. Ruth grew up on her parent's farm in Ucon, Idaho, where she was loved by her older siblings. Her brothers, Dale and John, took on a fatherly role after her father passed away when she was only 12. Ruth enjoyed the close relationship she felt with each of her siblings and would later care for her brother, John, at her home in his final years of life. Ruth graduated from Bonneville High School in 1958. She enjoyed participating in her school's Glee Club, Drill Team, and Operetta. She received certificates of achievement for her participation in drama, went to state competitions, and won for her category. Her picture was featured in Salt Lake's Deseret News for her role in “The King and I.” Ruth was adventuresome, and after taking a semester of schooling at Utah State University to pursue a degree in psychology, Ruth decided to work as a flight attendant for Frontier Airlines. She later left the airlines to be closer to family and work in her brother, John's, store, "Hunt's Fine Foods" in Rigby, Idaho, as an assistant manager. Later in life, Ruth received her real estate license. She was a realtor for Century 21, where she earned an award as "Top 20 Realtor" in the region, and retired with Coldwell Banker in Idaho Falls. Ruth married Richard Gray on September 15, 1964. Together, they had five children, Jon, Monte, Diane, Jared, and Jason. Ruth was a doting mother, spending most of her evenings getting her children to talk about their day by scratching their backs and rubbing their feet. She also enjoyed reading Bible stories to them in the evenings. After Ruth and Richard divorced in 1986, her kids remember her loving example of selflessness, as they watched her come home from her early morning job to make breakfast and then leave for her second job after sending the kids to school. Her gentle devotion to family was instrumental in her children's motivation to attend college, earn degrees, and serve LDS missions. Each of her five children were married in the LDS temple. Ruth had a love for God and instilled that into her children's lives. Ruth always had a kind and generous heart. She always looked out for the neighborhood kids and was often seen feeding those who she felt were hungry, giving others the coat off of her own back, even giving her family's extra vehicle to a co-worker who was in need. She always saw other's needs as more important than her own. Ruth didn't ask for much for herself but always made sure that those around her were warm, fed, and loved. Ruth is survived by her sister, Carolyn (Jay) of California; her children, Jon (Heather) of Boise, ID, Monte (Elizabeth) of Pocatello, ID, Diane (Greg) McKitrick of Idaho Falls, ID, Jared (Chien) of Boise, ID and Jason (Emily) of Boise, ID; and her 19 grandchildren, Jaclyn, Daniel, Austin, Jacob, Ben, Montgomery, Sonnet, Abby, Clark, Erika, Michael, Rachel, Ryan, Sadie, Hayden, Lucy, Ashton, Ashley, and Lacey. Ruth is preceded in death by her parents, Lester and Leda Hunt; her sister, Dorothy; and her brothers, Dale and John. We want everyone to remember our mom and nana as a loving and beautiful woman who gave everything she had for her children and family. A woman of faith in God, who was grateful for her blessings. A woman who didn't ask for much but who gave so much. A woman who loved and touched everyone to whom she came in contact. A woman, who despite her pain, left our lives with a smile on her beautiful face and a plea to remain close as a family. This wonderful woman will be loved and greatly missed. Funeral services will be at 12 Noon Saturday, June 2, 2018, at Wood Funeral Home East Side (963 S. Ammon Rd) in Ammon. A viewing will be held from 11-11:45 a.m. prior to the services at the funeral home. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery.

Funeral services will be held