Damon Anthony Gray
March 11, 2022
- Share:
-
-
-
Service Details
Damon (Tony) Anthony Gray was born January 17, 1974 in Los Angeles, California. He passed away unexpectedly Thursday, March 10th, 2022.
Tony was preceded in death by his Father, Paul A. Gray; Brother, Paul D. Gray; and his Grandmother, Helen Westby.
He is survived by his wife, Melissa Gray; Daughters, Ashley Gray and Hanna Gray; Grandson, Kai Whittington; Mother, Nancy Gray (James Miller); Nieces, October Gray and Fiona Ellis-Gray.
Tony spent his early childhood in Los Angeles and moved to Iowa as a teenager with his mother and brother. He attended Lincoln High School where he met his high school sweetheart Melissa and graduated in 1993.
Right after graduating he started his career at Ruan Transportation as a mechanic while earning his diesel mechanic degree from DMACC. During this time, his daughter Ashley was born in 1994. He left Ruan for a few years to manage Safari Night Club and travel around the world working with his brother’s band.
Tony and Melissa married in 1999 and their daughter Hanna was born in 2001. Tony hated that he missed so much time with his family that he decided to return to Ruan. Over the years he worked very hard. He moved on to become a call center representative, call center manager, and ended as a corporate analyst for the company.
Tony spent his spare time coaching his daughters’ softball teams and chauffeuring the family all over central Iowa for volleyball tournaments while they were growing up. He enjoyed many things; traveling, drag racing, NASCAR, fishing, cooking on his grill/smoker, video games, music and most important of all, he was a HUGE Kansas City Chiefs fan.
Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m., Thursday, March 17, 2022 at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Ave., Des Moines. Private graveside services will be at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Casual attire or Kansas City Chiefs clothing is welcomed.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the family, in loving memory of Tony.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Greg Wilson
03/17/2022
I worked with Damon at Ruan. He had a wealth of knowledge and always had a good story or two. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Dana Mcfletcher-Hubbard at TTN
03/17/2022
We, at TTN, want to extend our condolences to the Gray family. We consider it an honor and a privilege to have worked with Damon on the emergency maintenance program for Ruan. Regardless of the task at hand, Damon was always instrumental in providing valuable input to help develop business strategies that strengthened our partnership. May he rest in peace.
Steve LaDuke
03/15/2022
I had the privledge to know and work with Damon through his 28 years at Ruan. Damon was a class act. Damon always had great attitude and personality, was always professional and he saw the best in people. Whether he was helping with shop computers and technician diagnostics, shop tooling, technician training, mobile service trucks or technical challenges or whatever was needed he was always willing and able to help. He will truely be missed by many. RIP my friend and thoughts and prayers for his family and friends.
Scott & Leanne Maras
03/15/2022
We were fortunate to meet the Gray family through our daughters' sports teams. Hannah and Sophie played basketball & softball, Tony helped Scott coach the girls. Spent a lot of down time between games, laughing and talking. Soph remembered Tony as such a nice man.....a big guy, but so upbeat and patient. A gentle giant. God bless you all. Our hearts go out to you.
Chris Craig
03/15/2022
So sad to hear of the passing of a Ruan teammate that I worked with for 28 years. Damon was always so helpful when I had a question, or when I would transfer reception desk callers to his attention. When we ran into each other in the buildings we always chatted about what was going on in our neighborhood as he lived only 2 blocks from me. And Damon always had a great big smile for you! Thoughts and prayers for the family at this difficult time.
Mark Line
03/15/2022
Damon and I started with Ruan about the same time, wow didnt realize how long it has been. Damon was incharge of Ruan's Customer Service at that time and I remember calling him a lot to complain about slow ETA's and he was always calm and cool headed with his reply " we are doing our best and will keep you updated " I guess that was his way of saying chill out !hahaha Damon has always been the go to guy when it came to computer issues and was always quick to help out our techs. Damon Gray you will be missed !!
James Cade
03/15/2022
I worked with Damon for over five years at Ruan. I enjoyed our conversations about the transportation industry and the various trucks and equipment we had seen along our way and, of course, discussing the KC Chiefs. Over the years Damon helped a great many people at Ruan and was a crucial part in developing and administering the TopTech program, which reflected his desire to help train the next generation. He will be missed. My condolences to wife and his family.
DANIEL FRITZ
03/15/2022
My only contact with Damon was through phone cals and emails. though I never got to meat him in person we was all ways freindly and helpful. you will be missed greatly. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all from all the guys here at T722 shop. god bless
Marilyn Rittel
03/15/2022
I was acquainted with Damon from my time at Ruan. He was a pleasure to work with. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. I am sorry for your loss.
Sabrina Stone
03/15/2022
I worked with Damon at Ruan Corporate in downtown Des Moines he was one of the first people I met here. I told him my son's middle name was Grey and he gave me a lil laugh and said nice! Ever since then we would always share a small laugh and razz each other about different things about downtown. He will be missed greatly as he always brightened my day when he paid me a visit in the Mailroom. Rest In Peace Damon <3
Bonnie Strom
03/14/2022
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Tony will be missed by many. Such a great person. Such great fun memories during softball tournaments. Strom family.
Kenny Nulph
03/14/2022
Tony was an absolute great guy, none better.
Todd A. Cosner
03/14/2022
I met Damon after he returned to the Ruan shop. We worked together until I moved to the corp office. D called me to see if we had an opening, and I was glad he did. He would later become my boss and a close friend. When I left the company a few years ago, I contacted Damon to thank him for always having my back. I wish I could have one more conversation with him. His knowledge of everything from sports, music, computers, and mechanics was unparalleled. He will be so painfully missed. To his family, I want to say how truly sorry I am for your loss, and sorry for everyone who called Damon their friend.
Damon was a towering man, and he made a towering impact on all of us who knew him.