Kenneth Dwayne Gray was born April 27, 1953, to the union of Leo Thomas and Paulina Gray. Both parents preceded him in death.
Kenneth had his upbringing in the greater Kansas City area. He attended Booker T. Washington, Phillis Wheatley, Horace Mann, Faxon Elementary schools and Westport High School until he dropped out in the 10th grade. Kenneth then joined the work-force, working in restaurants cleaning tables, and washing dishes. He knew our mother was not going to allow him to lay around home and not be in school, so he decided to go to work. Kenneth walked looking for jobs as far as downtown. He walked to and from his first job near the downtown area. At that time, we lived at 36th Street and Woodland Avenue. He was happy to get that first paycheck because then he rode the bus. He never complained about his choices and never blamed anyone else. He later worked for a plumbing company, the city of Kansas City, and performed other jobs that that kept him gainfully employed. For the past six years, Kenneth was a caregiver for two clients with Access Home Health, Inc., a company owned by his nephew.
To everyone around him family, and friends, he became (BIG Ken) was very independent, private, mostly keeping to himself, and did not bother others with personal matters. Big Ken confessed his faith in Jesus Christ, later in his life. Although he did not have an affiliation with any church, it is evident to all Big Ken loved the lord. He listened and learned from a couple of preachers on television. “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved,” Romans 10:9,10. Big Ken was very excited about knowing that the lord loves everyone despite our weaknesses. Big Ken spoke about what he was learning many times with our mother. She was pleased to know about his relationship with the Lord.
Big Ken departed his life on Monday, June 15, 2020, very unexpectedly.
Big Ken leaves to cherish his memories: three daughters, Shawana, Arkansas, Althea Gray, Sharese Gray, Missouri, three brothers, Richard Gray, Paul Gray (Mary), Carl Gray (Kathy), two sisters, Edwina Gray, Anita Smith (Percy), a host of grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
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