Vonda M. Gray

Vonda M. Gray peacefully returned to the presence of her Heavenly Father, and to her Savior, Jesus Christ, Sunday, May 25, 2025.  Although she valued her family and her life on earth, she was anxious to return to the arms of her sweetheart & husband, Corey, and be reunited with her son Lynn, granddaughter Nicole, her parents, siblings and many other relatives and friends.

Vonda was born July 29, 1935 to Forest W. and Delva Ence Squire in Glenwood Springs, CO. She was their youngest child, with 4 siblings to watch over her.

While in her youth she discovered her passion and abilities in music. She played piano and had a magnificent singing voice. Through her musical abilities, she brought beauty, joy and peace into concerts, church meetings, and into her home for many years.

After graduating from North Phoenix High School in Arizona, she met a young man during a trip to Ohio who would become her husband. While they dated, she was increasingly impressed by his integrity and in the respectful way he treated others. And as a bonus, he was handsome. They soon married and began a life together that encompassed love, patience, service, and adventure. They welcomed three children into their family: Lynn, Mark, and Kathy.

Throughout her life her primary focus was her faith, her family, and serving others. She dedicated much of her time and talents to teaching and guiding youth and adults while serving in many capacities in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. Service for others brought her joy and satisfaction whether it be doing mundane chores, furnishing food, and most importantly making sure others felt loved and respected.

She also developed a great passion and became skilled in family history research. She contributed to the extraction, indexing, and arbitration programs finding people who have passed away and linking them to their ancestors and descendants. Over the years of her work she processed well over 3 million names!   Her love of this work led to her often spending 6 to 8 hours most week days carefully and diligently researching and recording information, and teaching others how to do what she was doing.

Her happiest times were traveling with her sweetheart to many beautiful locations as they grew their humane animal capture business. She loved being with Corey and enjoying the magnificent landscapes they were able to travel to and through. She also found great joy in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Although she participated in the activity of family gatherings, she was often spotted happily sitting back with a soft expression and a smile on her face soaking in the joy and chaos of play, meal prep, games, conversation, and laughter.

Vonda was preceded in death by her best friend and husband, Corrin Gray, son Lynn, granddaughter Nicole, and her parents and siblings. Those remaining in the glow of her goodness are her son Mark (Stephanie), Kathy (Vern Willis), 14  grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren + the 40^th due to arrive soon, and many beloved nieces and nephews, and dear friends.

Funeral services will be held Monday, June 2, at the LDS church building, 830 E. Lehi Rd, Mesa, with visitation at 9:00am, and funeral services at 10:00am. Interment will be at City of Mesa Cemetery immediately following funeral services.