Services Held for Wayne Gray, 72

Wayne Robert Gray, 1943-2016 | Family photo

If there was ever to be an illustration next to the definition of the word “citizen” in the dictionary, there would be a picture of Wayne Gray.

One of Oak Lawn’s most active, behind-the-scenes civic volunteers, Wayne passed away at age 72 on Jan. 27.

Wayne served more than 10 years on the Oak Lawn Planning and Development Commission, including a stint as chairman. He provided wise and impartial counsel on large construction projects in the village, as well as helping residents seek improvements to their homes and as a member of the commission.

“Here was a very humble man, who in his own quiet way changed Oak Lawn for the better,” Mayor Sandra Bury said. “His legacy impacted the quality of life for many residents through his work and collaboration on the planning and development commission. He didn’t do it for recognition, he did it for his community.”

Born Wayne Robert Gray on Aug. 16, 1943, in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood, Wayne moved to Oak Lawn with his family when he was 12, attending Simmons Junior High School and Oak Lawn Community High School.

When Wayne was five years old he contracted polio, but didn’t let post-polio syndrome slow him down in adulthood. He was involved with children in YMCA programs, eventually joining the YMCA’s board of directions where an educational grant would be named for him.

Wayne celebrated 50 years together his childhood sweetheart, Lynn, with a big party last October. The two met as children attending the same Sunday School in Back of the Yards. After Wayne moved out of the neighborhood, they met again as teens at a Mason party.

“I was 15 and he was 19,” Linda “Lynn” Gray recalled. “It was love at first sight. He asked me out and we’ve been together ever since.”

During the Vietnam War, Wayne tried to enlist in the military but was turned down because of his physical condition.

“He loved his country,” his wife said. “My brother was killed in Vietnam and we lost a lot of friends. He took it very hard that he wasn’t able to help.”

Later Wayne became involved in veterans groups, such as the Wounded Warrior Project, helping his wife organize walk-a-thons to equip U.S. troops with Bibles during Operation Desert Storm, and by donating blood.

He was a man of deep religious faith, winning many souls for Christ.

The project he was most proud of was Ronald McDonald House near Advocate Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn, where he played an instrumental role getting it built.

“That was his baby,” Lynn Gray said. “Wayne spent six months in an iron lung after he got polio as a child and had a lot of surgeries. He knew what it was like for a child to live at a hospital. He loved visiting there.”

Before he passed away from Stage 4 COPD and complications from post-Polio syndrome, his wife held a Scottish wake, where friends were invited to come and say goodbye.

“We had a house full of people walk through for two days. It was good to see how many people loved him and he enjoyed it,” Lynn Gray said.

Wayne died at home in hospice on Jan. 27, surrounded by loved ones.

“When he went he was very peaceful,” his wife said. “I told him I would take care of him and I did. That was part of the deal.”

Besides his beloved wife, Wayne leaves three children, his sons Jason (Dawn) and Peter (Malinda) Poczynok, and a daughter Audra Gray. His is the loving grandfather of Jack and Quin Gray and McKenzie Clickner. He was the dear friend and mentor to many.

Services were held.

In lieu of flowers, his family asks that donations be made in Wayne’s name to the Ronald McDonald House near Advocate Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn.

Friends may leave condolences for the Gray family on Legacy.com.