It's going to be a....

BOY!

Congrats to Hayden and Ashley.  Baby Boy Hawks is expected in August!
I love how we have these happy experiences right in the midst of hard times.  They are tender mercies.

Hayden dedicated this run to Erik.

 He won it and broke the course record in the meantime.  His trainer couldn't believe he could possibly do this.  His previous training wasn't for this type of race.   His trainer said you must have had help....Hayden said that he did have help.  Erik was with him on his run.  Erik had wanted to go to that one last county in Utah....Grand county.  He had traveled through all the other 28 counties... just one left.  Erik would have wanted Hayden to run this race in the midst of all the hardship that was going on.  He would have said to Hayden..."YOLO...go do it...be in Grand county for me"  It worked out just fine to have the funeral on Monday, February 20th.  Erik wouldn't have wanted it any other way.  Congrats Hayden!

Hayden gave us the trophy to keep.  The red trail shows his race route.
What a route!Pretty cool... I had to place it next to my stone carved
kokopeli I got with Erik when we were in Monticello/Blanding in January.
Fitting for Eastern Utah.  Thank you Hayden.

  

Erik's funeral was beautiful.  Everything seemed to go perfectly. It was so nice to have lots of family and friends come and show their respects to this good guy.  We are all mourning his loss.  We will miss him.

Until we meet again.

The Dansies (Rainbow Sign) offered to produce some great pictures
for us on gator foam board.  This is just one of many.
This photo was taken by Erik a few years back.

YOLO bands.  Erik turned this saying on its head to represent
 doing good, never missing a chance to live life and make opportunities
count, increase loving relationships and helping others do the same.

The artist is Sister Dean from the St. George Temple Cafeteria.
They love Erik, too.

Life Sketch for Erik Gray

On Friday, February 10, 2017, Erik Joseph Gray, peacefully returned home to his Heavenly Father. On the morning of his passing he was surrounded by his family.  For 7 years he valiantly battled cancer. Although his body lost the fight to cancer, his will to be courageous won the battle. His final advice to the family was “Today in not a bad day. Today is a great day to be awesome.”  He was an incredible force for greatness, beloved by his family, friends, and everyone in his midst.  

Erik was born January 7, 1994 in Murrieta, California to Dennis and JoLene Gray.  Erik is the 4^th of 5 children. The family later moved to Utah where Erik spent the remainder of his life in Cedar City and Logan, Utah.  As a child his zest for life and people shined as he easily made friends with anyone on the playground.  Erik enjoyed spending time with his family and being with friends.  He loved the great outdoors, camping, fishing and hiking, especially the National Parks.  He also had a love for helping people in the neighborhood.  They enjoyed his help and often called on him for years to assist them.

He was always involved in some extracurricular activity, whether it was music, sports or student government, he was always busy.  Erik was an accomplished pianist. He loved music and it came easy to him.  In high school he played football, ran track, cross country and participated in the CHS band, playing trombone.  Although he was disappointed that he couldn’t achieve his potential in sports, he didn’t let his cancer get in the way and found student leadership as his new favorite niche. He was a Sophomore class officer, Junior class president and when he was a Senior, he was Student Body Vice President.  He loved people and planning and carrying out activities to unify his class mates.  He also participated in Honor Society, Cedar City Youth Council and various school plays and musicals.  He graduated with honors from Cedar High in 2012.

Being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ, he participated in many activities and held responsible leadership positions as a youth.  He earned his Eagle Scout Award.   He was proud of his accomplishments and always yearned to do more.

He had a great desire to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  He was blessed to serve in the St. George Temple.  He loved his mission and served with a determination to fulfill the Lord’s work. 

He earned his Associates Degree from Southern Utah University and then went on to earn his Bachelor’s Degree from Utah State University in Communication Disorders and Deaf Education.  During his college days, he was blessed to be a member of the USU A-Team.  He was involved with many people and touched many lives throughout his time in Logan, which he referred to as the “Promised Land.”

While up at Utah State, his bike was stolen. The only response Erik had was, “joke’s on them, I only paid $10 for it.” Erik always knew how to add humor to bad situations.

Erik had many goals, wishes and dreams.  He was able to accomplish so much in his 23 years.

As he grew in the gospel, his love for temples increased immensely.  One of his greatest wishes was to attend all 16 Utah temples, which he accomplished. He was able to find many of his ancestors in Family History and many lives were blessed because of this great work.

Erik was sad to leave Logan & his adventurous college life behind to come back home for cancer treatments in August 2016.  But he often expressed his happiness to be home with family.  He and his siblings shared so many fun memories throughout the years.  Brooke, Chris, Ashley and Justin will miss Erik’s quick wit, his love for games and fun, and most of all Erik’s love and wisdom.  Erik loved being around his niece and nephews.  He was the “favorite uncle”.  (We all know that Erik kept reminding them of it.) Erik’s parents are so proud of the wonderful young man he has become.  He was a light in their life.  He always continued to be an inspiration with his Christlike example.  They will miss the adventures as well as the long talks with each other. 

He was diagnosed with a rare cancer in 2009.  He inspired many as he fought this tough battle with humor and a contagious positivity. He has stayed strong and valiant and it is clearly stated on a blog he has written and shared with the world.  We are grateful to the many doctors, nurses and staff that have helped him through the years.  Special thanks goes to Ethan and the others with Alliance Hospice for helping Erik have a better quality of life in his last two months where he was able to serve and continue touching more lives.

He truly emulated the Savior.  Many have said he was the definition of a true friend.  He made sure that everyone knew he loved them.  He never let you leave without a smile on your face.  His faith and positivity drew people to him and to God.  We miss Erik but he has left a legacy that cannot be forgotten.

Erik is survived by his parents, Dennis and JoLene Gray, his siblings, Brooke (Tim) Tasker, Christopher (Allie) Gray, Ashley (Hayden) Hawks, and Justin Gray, and his 4 nephews: Camden, Easton, Grayson, and Ezra and 1 niece: Renae.  He is also survived by his grandmother, Colleen Polatis, many aunts, uncles and cousins who loved him dearly.  He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Robert and Barbara Gray and Joseph Polatis.

Funeral Services will be at 11:00 am on Monday, February 20, 2017 at the Cedar West Stake Center (725 South 1100 West, Cedar City, UT).  A visitation will be held on Sunday, February 19, 2017 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm at Southern Utah Mortuary (190 North 300 West, Cedar City, UT).  A visitation will be held on Monday, February 20, 2017 from 9:30-10:30 am at the Cedar West Stake Center.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Huntsman Cancer Institute or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Temple Fund.

Online condolences can be made at www.sumortuary.com.