Obituary - Cecil E. Gray

Cecil E. Gray, 83, Genesee native, test pilot

Cecil E. Gray, a former test pilot and reportedly the first person from Genesee to fly an airplane, died at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center at 12:03 p.m. Sunday of causes related to aging. He was 83.

He was born March 8, 1903, at Genesee to Robert Russell and Frances Eliza Follett. He attended Genesee schools, Spokane Community College and Washington State Univeristy at Pullman.

In his early years he was a test pilot and salesman for Alexander Film Co. at Colorado Springs, Colo. As a pilot he was said to be the first to fly an aircraft above 13,000 feet and the first to fly over the Rocky Mountains.

During World War II he served in the Merchant Marines.

Gray later played the stock market, dealing in stocks and bonds.

He lived at various times at Spokane, Seattle, Pullman and California and spent the last several years at Genesee. He never married.

Survivors include a brother, Charles Gray, at San Diego, Calif., and two nephews.

Graveside services at Genesee City Cemetery are pending. Masonic Lodge No. 32 A.F. and A.M./Genesee will officiate.

Malcom's Brower-Wann Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Lewiston Tribune, October 23, 1986
Transcribed by Jill Leonard Nock

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