Donald Joseph Gray

Donald Joseph Gray, age 87, most recently of Grand Island, Nebraska, passed away on February 10, 2025, lovingly attended by his immediate family. Born on May 10, 1938, in Medford, Oregon, Donald lived a life full of adventure, kindness, loyalty, and dedication.

The most important person in Don’s life is his beloved wife, Marcia Sue. They met in high school in 1955 and married in 1958. In the last 70 years they were each other’s best friend, confidant, constant help mate and favorite person.

After graduating from Medford High School in Medford, Oregon, Don joined the Oregon National Guard, serving as an SP4 weapons and basic explosives instructor from 1956 to 1960. He then transferred to the U.S. Army Reserves, serving in the Inactive Reserve until his honorable discharge in 1966.

During this period, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Southern Oregon College in 1960, followed by participation in a Master of Education program from 1961 to 1963. In 1973, he completed a criminal law course as part of the Criminal Justice Program.

Don began his teaching career in 1960, instructing 8th-grade Biological Science and Social Studies in the Mt. Vernon, Oregon School District until 1963. Concurrently, he was an Oregon State-certified Hunter Safety Instructor from 1960 to 1968.

In 1963, Don served with the U.S. Forest Service in the Rogue River National Forest, contributing to the stewardship of Oregon's natural resources. He then joined the Oregon State Police, where he worked in Fish and Game, Traffic Enforcement, and Criminal divisions from 1963 to 1968.

In 1968, Don embarked on a distinguished career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation His assignments included:

Denver Division (1968-1969): Serving as a Special Agent, Don began his FBI career addressing general investigative matters.

Los Angeles Division (1969-1974): Continuing as a Special Agent, he tackled diverse cases in the greater Los Angeles area, including bank robberies, drug enforcement, acting as a tactical coordinator during the SLA shootout, helicopter surveillance coordinator during the Wounded Knee uprising and began his long FBI firearms instructor career.

Concurrently, he was a California State-certified Hunter Safety Instructor from 1970 to 1974.

Training Division, Firearms Training Unit, Quantico, VA (1974-1987): Transitioning to a supervisory role, Don became a firearms instructor, coordinator, training course developer and evaluator of weapons and practical training programs at the FBI Academy. He played a role in enhancing the firearms proficiency of agents and law enforcement personnel nationwide.

Training Division, Practical Applications Unit, Quantico, VA (1987-1994): Continuing as a supervisor, instructor and researcher, he also contributed to the development, evaluation, scheduling and administrative support of the FBI Practical Problem Training Complex (New Hogan’s Alley) ensuring agents were well-prepared for field operations.

In November 1989 while the Silence of the Lambs was filming at the FBI Training Academy, Don noticed that it was planned to have a car chase ending in a traditional multi car crash for a background scene. He told the director that the FBI would never do that and suggested an optional scene that would save the destruction of vehicles and some of the of the budget. The director loved the idea and requested Don be in the scene rather

than teaching the stunt people what he had in mind. His scene lasts only a few seconds, but it is fun for family and friends to spot him in the movie.

Training Division, International Training Unit, Quantico, VA (1994-1996): In his final assignment before retirement, Don focused on international law enforcement training, assisting in the development of the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) in Budapest, Hungary, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange with global partners.

Throughout his tenure, Don's roles included firearms instructor, coordinator, supervisor, researcher, weapons and training evaluator, training course developer and public performance demonstrations that included helicopter rappelling and expert level trick shooting. To many who appreciated his firearms instruction and knew his sense of humor, Don was affectionately known as "Mr. Shotgun." His work was marked by integrity, diligence, and a profound sense of duty to law enforcement training and to his country.

An avid outdoorsman, Don enjoyed hunting, fishing, and hiking throughout his life, sharing his passion and knowledge of the outdoors with generations of family, friends and, as a certified Hunter Safety Instructor, with the public. During his time in Oregon Fish and Game, he often brought home plant and animal specimens to share with and teach his young daughters about the outdoors. As they grew older, he took them on many hiking adventures and motorcycle rides in addition to hunting, fishing and camping trips. He once teased that his greatest challenge was chaperoning a girl scout weekend campout.

He enjoyed mastering new skills like waterskiing, knife throwing, calf roping, rappelling, ballroom dancing, and designing and creating stage scenes and props for his wife’s dancing school recitals. His creative and adventurous spirit knew no bounds, and he continuously sought out new challenges and experiences, leaving an indelible mark on those who knew him.

Throughout his life, Don loved people and was known for his great storytelling. He enchanted many with his lively and often wildly demonstrative tales of his experiences and observations.

Beyond his adventurous spirit, Don was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. He is survived by his wife Marcia, daughters Michele (Chele), Lynn, son-in law Kerry (Michele), grandsons Hunter and Jackson, and great-grandchildren Lillianne, Alexzander, Lachlan, and Camdynn (Hunter).

Don's drive to experience and achieve, his love of storytelling, and loyalty and dedication to family and friends will forever live on in the hearts of all who knew him. He will be remembered for his kindness, humor, wisdom, being the “go to guy” and his ability to inspire those around him.

A memorial service to celebrate Don’s life will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at First United Methodist Church 607 W. Main Street, Medford, OR, at 2:00 pm PT.

A Facebook Memorial page is available to leave comments, pictures and favorite memories at Donald Joseph Gray Memorial-Mr. Shotgun. https://www.facebook.com/groups/654162450408346/