Dennis E. Gray, 66

Dennis E. Gray, 66, of Cocolalla, Idaho, passed away, Thursday, April 27, 2006, at the home he built by hand, surrounded by family, while sleeping under a quilt made by his beloved daughter-in-law, Anne.

Private family services have been held.

Dennis was born July 11, 1939 in Kansas City, Mo., the son of Ralph and Dorothy Gray. He later graduated from North Kansas City High School and William Jewell College.

He enlisted in the army, and served in Vietnam. He lived for many years in Missouri, and after moving to Idaho, worked as senior water quality analyst for the Idaho Division of Environmental Quality.

He co-founded Rafter-four Designs and started Black Pine Mountain Woodworks. He also worked locally at Traders Building Supply, Co-Op and Coast-to-Coast Hardware, generously sharing his extensive knowledge of tools, construction and tricks of the trade.

Dennis treated everyone as important and worth spending time with. He always had a smile for people and was ready to help where he could. Anyone who knew him long could expect jokes, subtle puns and all sorts of other word play.

Dennis laughed with the world rather than at it. It made him a wonderful storyteller, and his children still remember the tales he told in their childhood. He made many friends who will remember him with a smile.

A long-cherished dream was fulfilled by building his own home with his wife, Diana.

Dennis loved to walk in the woods and add to his stock of wood lore, even more when he was doing it with his nephews, nieces and grandchildren. He loved to spend time with his family and his beloved dogs. Dennis danced with skill, enthusiasm, and joy and he loved to share that joy.

He is survived by his wife, Diana Gray of Cocolalla; two sons, Adam and Randall Gray; a daughter-in-law, Anne; three grandsons, Ryan, Rhys and Brendan Gray, all of Australia; a brother, David Gray of Dix Hills, N.Y.; and a sister, Diane Miller of Kansas City.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Dorothy Gray of Kansas City.

Memorial donations may be made to the wonderful people of Bonner Community Hospice, who made it possible for his final days to be peaceful, at PO Box 1448, Sandpoint, ID 83864.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Dennis' memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his online guest book.