Lawrence "Mike" Earl Gray, Jr.

     Lawrence Earl “Mike” Gray, Jr., 85 years old of Sturgeon Bay WI, passed away on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, surrounded by family at Door County Memorial Hospital.

     Mike was born on May 7, 1938 in Chicago to Lawrence Earl Gray, Sr. and Katherine Gray. He grew up in Fox Lake, IL and attended Grant Community High School graduating in 1956.

     He married Barbara Julia Ann Sokup on June 7, 1958. They had two daughters, Laura and Catherine and resided in Fox Lake, IL. There, Mike had an electrical business and received his pilot license. Some of his most fond memories were of him flying out of Midway and O'Hare airports. The family then moved to Fish Creek, WI where they bought and ran Nor Dor Motel.

     Mike was given the nickname “Gray Fish” because of his love for fishing. He had a charter fishing business in both Fish Creek and Florida, named “Gray Fish Charters”. He loved being on the water and sharing stories of all the fish he would catch. He spent many winters in Marathon Key, FL on his boat or fishing from the dock. He would often reminisce about the warm, beautiful weather and how much he loved being there. Everyone knew that when they were on Mike’s boat, it was serious business and there was no sleeping or messing around! Only fishing, especially when the fish were biting. Otherwise, you were definitely not invited back, haha!

     When he was asked what he was most proud of in his life, he responded “His family.” Mike had many hobbies. He loved to hunt, fish, cook, snowmobile, and so many other things throughout his life. He was collector of many ‘things’ and he was Jack or ‘Mike’ of all trades. Anyone who knew him would say that he loved snacks and hot coffee. He built his own home and loved helping others fix theirs as well. He had a love for nature spending hours hunting for wild asparagus, and could spot a morel mushroom from a mile away in the woods.

      Preceding him in death were his parents; and wife.

     Mike is survived by daughters, Laura (Kevin) Trainor, and Catherine Gray of Madison; grandchildren, Kendra (Andy) Joseph, Cal (Katie) Lautenbach and Sierra Trainor; great-granddaughter, Gracie Lautenbach; his second wife, Sylvia Reinhardt and her family of Fish Creek; along with many dear friends.

     The family would like to extend their gratitude to Sturgeon Bay Health Services for being such a wonderful place Mike called home these recent months. The family would also like to give many thanks to all of the doctors, nurses, and staff at Door County Medical Center who provided Mike with such wonderful and loving care when he needed it the most.

     A celebration of Mike’s life is being planned for this summer and will be announced.

     Huehns Funeral Home is assisting the Gray family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Lawrence may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.huehnsfuneralhome.com.

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