Gray Walen Obituary (1939

Harold Graydon Walen passed away with his wife Jeannie and sons, Jim and Gray at his side on Saturday, November 17th, 2009 after a long, hard fought battle with lung cancer. He was 70 years old. Gray was born on April 6, 1939 in Bremerton, WA to Dorothy and Graydon Walen. He spent his early years in Bremerton, where he graduated from West high school in 1957 and married Mary Lou Foote in 1958. He will be remembered by his success as playing on the first string of the West High Wildcats football team (blue & gold colors) and by many who enjoyed riding in his 1946 Chevy Coupe. Gray enjoyed a successful career working at the executive level with J.C. Penny, Co and Sprint, traveled as a consultant and spent many years working with stocks and bonds. His travels included time in Hawaii, California, and Las Vegas where he was most proud of his work as an executive for Positive Protection of Nevada. He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Jeannie, who cared for him throughout his long illness; his two sons, Jim Walen (Amy) of Kirkland, WA and Gray Walen of Portland, OR; five grandchildren, Joshua Walen, Allie and Austin Walen, Ryan and Rachel Walen. Also his devoted family, nieces Linda Bruggeman of California and Teresa Darling of Las Vegas; sisters, Nadine Simmons and Johanna Leyde of Las Vegas, NV, Osa Burgess of Puyallup and brothers Michael Walen of Houston, Texas and John Walen of Puyallup. He loved his dogs Chili, L'il Bit, Zena and Dolly, keeping up with his sons, Gray and Jim and his five grandchildren.