William Ralph Gray

Ralph Gray, 79, of Millheim, passed away with family at his side on Thursday, December 20, 2018, at Mount Nittany Medical Center.  Born in Mosscreek, PA on April 27, 1939, he was the son of the late Blanford and Anna (Alessi) Gray.  On January 21, 1960, Ralph married his high school sweetheart, Judith Kay Taylor. 

In addition to his wife, Kay, he is survived by his two children, Natalie Burch and her husband, William, of Rockville, MD, and William R. Gray, Jr. and his wife, Rebecca, of Millheim; two grandchildren, Samuel and Daniel Gray; and two sisters, June Siford of Lancaster and Gloria Gray of Northern Cambria.  In addition to his parents, Ralph was preceded in death by his sister, Patricia Yonkoske. 

Ralph graduated from Northern Cambria High School, where he excelled in football and academics.  He attended George Washington University, in Washington, DC, on scholarship, and later transferred to Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in education.  He received a master’s degree from Pennsylvania State University in 1965.  Ralph taught mathematics for 36 years at Bellefonte High School and Penns Valley High School and served as Department Head.  In addition to teaching, he coached high school baseball and officiated high school football.  In retirement, his passions included working outdoors on his property, driving his 1940 Plymouth, bowling, and writing.  He wrote several books, documenting the history of Bellefonte High School baseball, the Bellefonte-State College football rivalry, and the Bellefonte Academy.  He also wrote about Mosscreek, a coal-mining town, and Northern Cambria football.  Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and attending his grandsons’ activities.  

Ralph was a founding member of the Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church of Penns Valley.  In accordance with Ralph’s wishes, there will be no public funeral service.  Contributions in memory of Ralph may be given to Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church, P.O. Box 159, 3503 Penns Valley Road, Spring Mills, PA 16875. 

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