Joe Dan Gray

Joe Dan Gray, age 74, of Taylor, Texas passed away peacefully in his sleep early Sunday morning, January 15, 2017.

He was born on February 7, 1942 to Harshel and Sylvia (Groneck) Gray in Taylor, Texas. He graduated from St. Mary's Catholic High School in Taylor and attended St. Edward's University and the University of Texas. He was honorably discharged from the National Guard in 1969. He worked in retail for twenty years in the Houston area then moved back to Taylor in 1985. He married Susan Vanecek on July 23, 1991. He then became partner with his wife in the H&R Block business in Taylor.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Gloria Gray Lauer.

He is survived by his wife, Susan, children, Monica Dean and husband Donald, Michael Gray, Steven Rieger and wife Rosalyn, and Brian Rieger and wife Darlyn, grandchildren, Andrew and Lauren Dean, Kylie, Daniel, Kayla, Cheyenne, Chole, and Jackson Rieger, and Maddy Phillips, father and mother-in-law, Dan and Sybil Vanecek, brothers and sisters in-laws, Jeana Matetzschk and husband Rick. Barbara Lankford and husband Terry; Peggy Marshall and husband Bill; Tom Vanecek and wife Michelle, and Tim Vanecek and wife Donna, special family friend, Carolyn Betak, and numerous other family members and friends.

Visitation will be held at Providence Funeral Home, Taylor, Texas on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. with rosary at 7:00 p.m. Funeral service will be held at Providence Funeral Home on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Interment immediately following at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Charlie Betak, Jr., David Betak, Rick Matetzschk, Terry Lankford, Tom Vanecek, Tim Vanecek, and Bennie Cervenka.