Mass of Christian Burial for Richard Gray, 84, of LaPlant will be at 10 AM MT, Saturday, March 25, 2017 at All Saints Catholic Church in Eagle Butte. Burial will be at Eagle Butte Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will start 5 PM with a Scriptural Wake Service at 7 PM Friday at the church.

Richard Dean Gray passed away March 19, 2017 at Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD. He was a man who loved his family and the ranching way of life. Richard never met a person with whom he couldn't have a good visit with and was always ready to help. He was the definition of a gentleman and one of the last true cowboys. The loss of him leaves a hole in the hearts of many people who loved and cared for him.

Richard was born at the home of his parents, Pat and Evelyn (Maupin) Gray on May 4, 1932 down at Cheyenne Agency, SD. He attended public school there until he moved with his parents to Laplant, SD at the age of ten. He finished grade school in Laplant and went to high school in Eagle Butte. Richard graduated, as salutatorian, from Eagle Butte High School in 1950. After graduation he ranched with his father, as he had been doing for years and he joined the Army in 1953 until his honorable discharge in May of 1955.

Upon his return from the Army he continued ranching and on February 15, 1960 he married Frances Marshall, daughter of Irving and Ruby (Garreau) Marshall in the Catholic Church in Laplant, SD. To this marriage four sons were born; Clint, Dean, Clay and Dale. In addition to running his ranch Richard also worked as a brand inspector for many years, he also served on the school board. He enjoyed doing leather work, breaking horses, riding horses; he enjoyed just being outside. He and Frances continued to ranch in rural Laplant until his passing.

Richard is survived by Frances, his wife of 57 years; his sons Dean Gray of Chicago, IL, Clay Gray of Laplant, SD, and Dale Gray, (Fanchon), grandchildren- Randee, Reed and Ryan of Mobridge, SD, granddaughter Julie Ann (Cody) Ramsey of Ft. Pierre, SD and great grandson Cort.

He is preceded in death by his son Clint, his parents Pat and Evelyn, grandparents Bogie and Rose Maupin, Jack and Emma Gray, his brother, Jerry, and nephew Justin, sister-in-law Opal Heisler, brother-in-law Beau Marshall. As well as his mother and father-in-law Irving and Ruby Marshall.