May 8, 2023 at 5:26 p.m.
Charles “Charlie” C. Gray, III
Charles “Charlie” C. Gray, III
Charlie graduated from Janesville High School Class of 1952, where he met the love of his life, Eleanor Johnson. Charlie and Eleanor were High School sweethearts back when he was “Gunda’ and she was “EJ.” They married in 1956 and spent the next 67 years side-by-side in life’s adventure.
He attended UW-Madison and studied in the School of Engineering. While in Madison, he joined ROTC through which he joined the Army and served two years stationed in Vicenza, Italy. While in Italy, Charlie used his engineer’s brain by working on the MGM-5 Corporal Missile Program, the United States’ first nuclear-capable tactical surface-to-surface missile.
After his military service, he returned to Janesville to be the fourth generation to run the family business, Gray’s Beverage (also known to many as “The Pop Factory”) with his mother, Margaret “Peg” and brother Bob. “Family Businesses” can be challenging, but Charlie’s leadership and tireless work ethic ensured growth and stability for several decades. He was active in local trade associations and served as president of the Wisconsin Soft Drink Association in the early 70s.
Charlie sold his interest in the business to his brother in 1986, and he and Eleanor started their second act in Presque Isle where they had a cottage on Crab Lake. They spent their summers at the lake and began what would become a 27-year stint as “Ski Bums” working and skiing at Winter Park, Colo. each winter alongside college students and like-minded retirees. He made quite an impression on his younger co-workers, who adopted the “WWCGD” (What Would Charlie Gray Do?) philosophy to problem solving. Charlie skied into his late 70s until winters in Arizona replaced the ski slopes.
Once permanently living at Crab Lake, and not one for idle hands, Charlie and some of his Northern Wisconsin friends designed and built a hand-scribed full-log home for he and Eleanor, including a three-story hand-made log spiral staircase. It was the kind of engineering challenge Charlie loved. He also was involved in leadership at the lake, serving as the president of the Crab Lake Property Owner’s Association from 2005 through 2009. Over the course of his lifetime, Charlie mastered many skills, such as keeping all the bottling equipment and route trucks in good order, building a dune buggy, a log home or a Heathkit color TV, making his latest project car run better or go faster, or trades work, including carpentry, masonry, electrical, plumbing or fabrication projects. There seemed to be nothing he couldn’t build or fix, and when those in his circle asked for his help, he was always quick to assist.
In 1988, after growing tired of driving to town for ice every summer, he and his sons began harvesting ice from Crab Lake on the first Saturday of each February, a tradition that continues to this day. The crew packs the harvested ice in sawdust in the “Ice House,” an antique walk-in cooler from the beverage business.
Charlie also passed his passion for cars on to his sons and grandsons, and they attended the annual Iola car show and swap-meet together with friends for many years.
Charlie built many things that will outlast him. None he was more proud of than his kids. Charles IV, Mary, Michael, Jennifer and Joshua all inherited pieces of their dad, but all reflect him differently. His stubbornness, his wit, his engineer’s brain, his logic and ability to reason, his keen powers of observation, his willingness to help a friend, his willingness to teach others, and the part of Charlie he showed more as he aged; his tender heart.
Charlie was a strong believer in God, being a faithful member of St Mary’s Parish in Janesville, where all five of he and Eleanor’s children went to grade school, and later St Rita’s Parish in Presque Isle. In the end, Gunda passed with EJ at his side. Surrounded by the children they raised together and memories of a life well-lived.
Charlie is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Eleanor, five children: Charles IV (Torri) of Weston, Mary (Kilafwa) Sigrah of Micronesia, Michael (Nancy) of Circle Pines, Minn., Jennifer Neuner of Weston, and Joshua (Leanne) of Janesville, as well as 10 grandchildren: Elizabeth (Matt) Moens, Charles C. “Buddy” (Rachel) Gray V, Sarah, Michael and John Gray, Zachary (Keri) Neuner, Mackenzie Neuner, Adam (Danielle), Jacob and Hannah Gray and four great-grandchildren: Bodhi, Brooks and Millie Moens, Charles “Chico” C. Gray VI, sister-in-law, Beatrice Mogensen, and brother-in-law, Russell Johnson, as well as many relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents, Charlie was predeceased by his brother, Robert, his sister-in-law Genevieve Gray, son-in-law, David Neuner, daughter-in-law, Lisa Gray, brother-in-law, Robert Mogensen, and father and mother-in-law, Elmer and Mildred Johnson.
To the doctors, nurses, and all the staff at Marshfield Hospital, Primrose Retirement Community and Compassus Home Health Care who cared for Charlie, we extend our deepest thanks and appreciation. Your compassion and kindness made all the difference for Charlie and his family during a challenging time. You have our utmost respect and admiration.
Visitation and prayer service will be from 10 a.m. to noon on May 19 at Schneider’s Funeral Home, 1800 East Racine Street, Janesville. Lunch to follow. A funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. on June 10, at St. Rita’s Catholic Church, 11568 Lake Street, Presque Isle. Lunch to follow. Interment will be at a later date.
In lieu of gifts or flowers, please consider memorials to the Crab Lake Conservation Foundation, PO Box 256 Presque Isle WI 54557 or Compassus Home Health, 2600 Stewart Ave. Suite 160, Wausau WI 54401.
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