Joe Gray: continuing to make his mark on this world

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

Over $3,095 has been donated in the memory of Joe Gray toward Pancreatic Cancer research! This is truly a testament to how many people Joe's life touched & how respected and admired he was by his peers, friends and family.


To view the kind sentiments of these donors or to make a donation, visit Joe's memorial webpage here - http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/joegray/keepthememoryalive

Pictures of Joe

Funeral Details of Joe Gray

A Rosary Service for Joe Gray will be held at 6:30 pm on Sunday, May 8th (Joe's birthday) at Jones Funeral Home, 801 Garrettson Street, Burlington, Kansas 66839 (map). Joe's Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, May 9th at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 214 Juniatta Street, Burlington, Kansas 66839 (map). A meal will be served in the church hall immediately following the funeral, so - if you can - please join Joe's family to continue the celebration of his amazing and blessed life. 


There is no obligation to attend these services; we understand that not all of those who want to be there will be able to.


Please don't send flowers. The impact of a donation to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network in Joe's memory will last much longer and mean much more to Joe's family. Please make any donations here - http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/joegray/KeepTheMemoryAlive


Unfortunately for those coming from out of town and in need of lodging, the hotel in Burlington, Kansas is completely full.  Here are a few other options:

• BETO Junction - 15 minutes North of Burlington: Wyatt Earp Inn & Hotel, (620) 256-6351
• Yates Center, Kansas - 15 minutes South of Burlington: click here
• Ottawa, Kansas - 45 minutes North-East of Burlington: click here

It's so hard to say goodbye

It hurts my heart to say that Joe Gray passed away around 9:00 am on Wednesday, May 4th. With his wife Vicki, son Ben, daughter-in-law SallyAnn and granddaughter-to-be at his side, he was surrounded by love when he left behind his earthly body. His battle with pancreatic cancer is over and pain can no longer touch him.

We are still finalizing plans for his funeral. It is likely the service will be held in Burlington, Kansas at 10:00 am on Monday, May 9th at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. We will post details of the service as soon as they are finalized, so please check back to this blog. Please note that in lieu of flowers, we are requesting donations be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network - details to follow.

THANK YOU so very much for all the love, support, prayers, hugs, calls, emails, cards and care you have shared with Joe and his family over the past two years. It meant the world to Joe and it means the world to his family too. He was so LOVED. Thank you.

The Latest - trying to get off the ventilator

Joe is still in the ICU at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center (Kansas). While his surgery on Friday went fine, the latest obstacle is the ventilator (breathing assistance via tube) which was inserted in advance of the surgery. On Saturday morning, they tried to wean Joe off the ventilator, but his blood pressure and heart rate got too high in the process, so they kept the tube in and let his body rest and recuperate for the day with the goal of trying again on Sunday. Joe's lungs are weak and in distress due to pneumonia.

Unfortunately, Joe had a rough night Saturday night, running a fever and producing more fluid in and around his lungs. They were able to drain the fluid and the doctors decided to give him the day off again, giving him antibiotics and letting his body recover a bit longer.

Over the course of the weekend, Vicki, Ben & SallyAnn spent time on and off with Joe, letting him know the love and support he has behind him. Ben & SallyAnn returned to Kansas City on Sunday evening to begin another work week. It was hard to leave, but we had a good weekend coming together and supporting each other as a family.

Vicki spent this morning (Monday, May 2nd) at Joe's side. His doctors decided not to try to wean him off the ventilator today, with the goal of trying tomorrow. If needed, they should be able to drain his lungs prior to weaning.

To allow his body to relax and heal, he has been on pain killers and in a drug-induced paralysis, but today he was allowed more consciousness and was able to interact with Vicki. She said:

"It was awesome being able to get responses from him...except when he shook his head 'no' to my being able to sing and 'yes' to Sally's singing :0"

Even though Joe cannot speak with the ventilator in, they said the Lord's Prayer together - Joe with perfect lip movement.

Please pray that Joe's lungs will respond to the antibiotics and he will be strong enough for the doctors to get the ventilator out safely.