Matthew “Matt” Dale Gray, 39, of Indianapolis, passed away unexpectedly on July 18, 2022. He was born on January 28, 1983, to parents, Dale and Jodi Gray.
Matt attended Wanamaker Elementary, Franklin Twp Middle school, and Franklin Central High School. He was always a happy go lucky kid, singing, dancing, acting goofy and making everyone around him smile at every chance. He carried that with him into his adult life. Always a pleasure to be around. He participated in little league activities baseball, basketball, football, and soccer. He was introduced to boating on Dale Hollow Lake as young as 6 months old, and fell in love with water activities and outdoor life. He loved swimming, boating, fishing, hunting, back packing, and camping. He started singing with the Middle School choir, then went on to be part of the Franklin Central Show Choir – FC singers. They won many first place championships throughout his 4 years with them. That was a huge part of his high school years – he loved being on the stage in the spotlight. And Matt absolutely loved children – he just connected with them. He was always a big kid at heart. He was also an animal lover – cats and dogs. Whenever one of his friends needed a babysitter or a dog-sitter, he was there for them. He owned several cats through the years, and recently lost his 16 year buddy Junior – he was his baby!
Matt started working for Royal Pool & Pond the summer he turned 16, and eventually became the owner/operator of that business. In between working there and becoming the owner, he worked many types of jobs from retail sales, being a server at a couple high class restaurants, running a forklift, to being a bouncer. When the shop closed, he started working in excavating – everything from operating equipment, laying pipes, and interpreting blueprints. He also worked for Service Master as a Project Manager, but he found his niche with the excavating and he did it well.
Matt accomplished quite a bit in his short life – he had a lot to be proud of. He left his mark and his legacy on the world.
Matt undoubtedly left this world too soon, and he will be missed sorely by all the lives he has touched.
Left behind to cherish his memory are his loving parents, Jodi and Dale Gray; his brother, Kevin Gray with his wife Shea and children Nathaniel, Maddox, and Aubrie; his many Aunts, Uncles, cousins and many close friends.
Matt is preceded in death by, Grandparents Arthur & Winifred Gray; Grandparents Orville & Janet Chastain.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, from 4-7PM. A celebration of life will follow the visitation at 7PM. All will be held at Flanner Buchanan-Memorial Park, 9350 E Washington St.
Memorial Contributions may be made in Matt’s honor to: Riley Children’s Foundation
