Delmar W Gray

Delmar W Gray was born February 24, 1950, in Idaho Falls, ID. His parents were Deldon Lamar and Elva Marie Nelson Gray. Delmar was the fourth child of eight.  He passed away on March 28, 2022, from pancreatic cancer.

Delmar lived in Germany as a young child while his father served in the US Army. Following the German assignment, the family returned to Idaho Falls, where Delmar spent his youth. He graduated from Skyline High School and attended Ricks College. He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1969-1971 in the Southern Far East Mission (Taiwan) where he learned Mandarin Chinese. He continued to study the Mandarin language throughout his life.

Upon returning from his mission, he attended Brigham Young University, where he met and married Luann De Hart in the Provo Temple on June 22, 1973. They were blessed with six sons.

Following BYU, the growing family moved to Omaha, NE, where Delmar attended Creighton University Dental School. Upon graduation, the family lived in Hinesville, GA, where Delmar served as an Army dentist for three years at Fort Stewart.

At the conclusion of their military service, the family moved to Boise, ID, where Delmar set up a private dental practice on Hill Road. Later, the office moved to a new building near Veterans Park and then expanded to Millennium Dental in Meridian.

Delmar was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many compacities. He was very involved with the Scouting program and was awarded the Silver Beaver in 2014.

Delmar was involved with a local humanitarian group called CASI, where for 12 years he led groups of dentists and hygienists to China to provide dental care for orphans.

Delmar retired from dentistry in 2015. From August 2017 to January 2019, Delmar and Luann served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Manhattan New York Temple. They formed deep friendships with the other mission couples and the Chinese members of the Flushing 2nd Ward.

Delmar and Luann served in the Boise Idaho Temple for many years preceding their temple mission and upon their return were called as Shift Coordinators at the Boise Temple.

Delmar kept a wonderful balance of working hard, playing hard, and giving unselfish service. He had a passion for golfing, fishing, skiing, and hunting. He was an Advocate for Joy and was often referred to as “The Singing Dentist.” His humor touched all those around him.

Delmar was a hands-on father and grandfather. He taught his sons and grandchildren to work hard and to play hard. Life was full of adventures and hobbies, which has created lasting memories for family and friends.

Delmar is preceded in death by his parents, Deldon Lamar and Elva Marie (Nelson) Gray, brother Deldon Lamar Gray, Jr., and sisters Barbara Ann Gray Johnson and Jolene Gray Krahenbuhl.

Survivors include his children Trent (Charlotte) Gray, Tyson (Marie) Gray, Bryce (Laura) Gray, Jason (Jennifer) Gray, Russell (Daylyn) Gray, and Austin Gray, 19 grandchildren, siblings Donna (Mike) Frame, Douglas (Pam) Gray, Richard (Gayle) Gray, and Kenneth (Rebecca) Gray.

A viewing will be held Thursday, March 31, 6-8pm, at the Boise Idaho Amity Stake Center, 12040 W Amity Rd., Boise. Funeral services will be on Friday, April 1, at 9:30am at the same location at 12040 W Amity Rd., Boise. A family viewing will precede the services from 8:30-9:15am. Final resting place will be at the Cloverdale Cemetery at 1200 N. Cloverdale Rd., Boise.

The family would like to thank the many friends, neighbors, and the St. Luke’s Hospice Team who have provided support and care during Delmar’s illness.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Church of Jesus Christ Humanitarian Aid
https://donate.churchofjesuschrist.org/donations/church/humanitarian-services/humanitarian-aid-fund.html?cde2=475&