Timothy Raymond Gray, 63, of Gladstone, Illinois, passed away on Thursday, August 6, 2026 at 11:36 a.m. at OSF St. Mary Medical Center, Galesburg.
Tim was born on October 9, 1962, the son of Larry and Mildred (Huffman) Gray, in Burlington, Iowa. He graduated from Union High School with the class of 1980; received his associate’s degree from Carl Sandburg College in 1984, bachelor’s degree in business from Monmouth College in 1986, and his MBA from St. Ambrose University in 2009. Tim was proudly employed with several different organizations throughout the years; including bookstore manager and director of the Stockdale Center at Monmouth College from 1986-1990; bookstore manager for Palmer Chiropractic College 1990-1997; instructor of business & computers, and bookstore manager for Carl Sandburg College; assistant registrar, registrar, adjunct instructor of business for Southeastern Community College 2002-2017; and Knox College registrar 2017-2018. Tim’s most important work and fondest memories were during his employment at Turnbull Funeral Home in Monmouth, Illinois, where he assisted with funerals and visitations for over 40 years.
He was a member of Rozetta Baptist Church in Rozetta, Illinois. He served on numerous committees in his lifetime; including the Iowa Department of Education, Union Community School District #115 Board of Education, actively served in the Mid-State College Bookstore Association, and was the youngest member to ever serve on the Illinois School Board. Tim was very proud of his gardens, in which he planted beautiful flowers and hearty vegetables. He was an avid auction goer, which led him to become a collector of many things, but he was especially fond of collection Loons, decoys and art. Tim was skilled in refinishing furniture and enjoyed decorating his homes.
Tim was preceded in death by his parents, Larry and Mildred Gray, and a brother-in-law, Doug Hoelscher. Those left to cherish his memory include his sisters, Deb (Danny) Palmer, and Cindy Gray, both of, Gladstone, Illinois; and two nephews, Dustin Palmer, of Savannah, Georgia, and Steven Palmer, of Oregon State.
Cremation rites have been accorded. Graveside services will be held Thursday, August 13, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. at the Oquawka Cemetery in Oquawka, Illinois. Contributions in Tim’s memory may be made to the Henderson County Humane Society. Arrangements have been entrusted to Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory in Oquawka, Illinois. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com
