Dandridge M. Gray
May 20, 1920-Feb. 25, 2014
Portola Valley, California

Dandridge M. (Dan) Gray, longtime resident of Ladera in Portola Valley, Calif., died on Feb. 25, 2014, at the age of 93. He is survived by Joan, his wife of nearly 66 years; eldest son John and his wife Georgette, of Verdi, Calif.; daughter Allison, her husband Ron Cox of Pleasanton, Calif., and their children Steven, Meghan and Kendalyn; nephew Gordon Gray, his wife Janet and their family of Richmond, Ind. He also had a second son, Stuart, now deceased.

Dan was born on May 20, 1920, in Farmington, Conn. to Harry F. and Margaret Gray. He attended Deerfield Academy and graduated from Amherst College in Massachusetts. In World War II, he served four years as a lieutenant on the destroyer U.S.S. Lang in the Pacific theater. He and Joan were married in 1948.

Dan worked first in the life insurance business and later in investments - forming his own company, Protected Investors of America, working for the firm Judy and Robinson and finally as financial planner for American Investors. He retired in 2009 at age 89.

Dan served as senior warden and treasurer of Christ Church, Portola Valley, as president and treasurer of Foothills Tennis and Swim Club in Palo Alto and helped organize and head Urban Ministry, a multi-church program providing meals and clothing for the homeless. Dan was an excellent tennis player and enjoyed golf in his later years.

Tags: veteran, business