Anthony "Tony" Ashton Gray

Anthony “Tony” Ashton Gray, 73, passed away on Saturday, June 11, 2022 at 1:34 pm. He was at his home and surrounded by his loving family, in Shawnee, Kansas.

Tony was born on April 8th, 1949 in Santa Monica, California, to Leland and Barbara Gray. The family relocated to Honolulu, Hawai’i when Tony was around the age of 2.

Tony attended Kalani High School, then went on to earn his U.S. Coast Guard Master’s License at Crawford’s Nautical College. In addition to his Master’s license, he also earned an Oceans & Motor License that allowed him to be a US Coast Guard Captain. He couldn’t be stopped at just the water, but wanted to master the air as well. Tony earned licenses in commercial piloting, instruments, multi-engine, helicopters, Air Frame & Power Plant, and inspection authorization. He logged thousands of hours of flying time. Tony later went on to earn a KS CDL with hazmat, double, triple, tanker and air brake licenses.

Tony married the true love of his life, his bride (as he lovingly called her) Heidi Lynn Beal on May 12th, 1973 in Hawai’i. The two were married for 49 years until Tony’s passing.

Tony was a true and genuine man who always put his wife and children first. He was loving, funny, caring, charismatic, adventurous, driven and determined. Tony loved a challenge, and when a goal was set, he always followed through and achieved it. He was a fantastic story teller, making sure his stories were like him—larger than life! People were naturally drawn to Tony, and often had a crowd that would sit and listen to his stories and adventures for hours. He was anything but traditional or boring, Tony was always to the extreme… all the way until the end.

Tony was a present, engaged and involved family man. He enjoyed going dirt bike riding with his son, Danny in Kahuku. He loved spending birthdays and holidays at the Outrigger Canoe Club in Waikiki. Tony was dubbed “Grandpa Boss” and made a point to attend his grandkids sporting and school events. A memorable moment in Tony’s life was when he got the opportunity to fly Richard Branson in a jet! He loved flying his private Cessna, helicopters, and his crop-spraying planes. He and Heidi sailed the World Citizen in the British Virgin Islands. Tony loved to spend Thursdays out at Cedar Hill Gun Club (Mary’s) trap shooting.

Tony is survived by the love of his life and bride, Heidi Gray; his children Danny Gray, and Rebecca (Stephen) Rolf; grandchildren Leilani Gray, and Maxwell and Jackson Rolf; and countless family and friends that he made while on his journey through life.

A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, June 22, 2022 from 6:30-8:30pm at The Vineyard, 8301 Lamar Ave., Overland Park, KS 66207. Please join the Gray family as they give Tony a final Aloha.

Memorial Donations in honor of Tony may be made to Tunnel to Towers, their information is provided below. 

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