Carl Lawrence Grey was born September 20, 1947 in Sioux Rapids, Iowa to Gust E. and Rowena O. (Surles) Grey. He and his family moved to Plano, Texas when he was just five years old. He graduated from Plano High School in 1966. He was a member of the 1965 AA Texas State Championship Football team which was the first of several championships for Plano. Carl received a football scholarship to West Texas State University and received his Bachelor’s Degree from East Texas State University which is where he met Margie flying around in her little blue dune buggy. On December 26, 1971, Carl married Margie in Dallas, Texas. Carl, Margie, and his brother, Richard, owned and ran Dallas Turf Equipment for twenty years. Then he worked another twenty years for Home Depot before he retired. He and Richard were founding members of the North Texas Antique Tractor and Engine Club and they enjoyed hosting meetings at their shop for many years. Carl was a lifetime lover of tractors. From wheat harvesting as a young man, to owning his lawn equipment stores with his brother, and then collecting and restoring antique equipment. His collection grew so big he purchased a ranch in Emory, TX so he would have plenty of space for his toys. Carl enjoyed days at his ranch building a cabin, talking to goats, fishing and just tinkering around. He was also a lover of being on the lake and had started a new collection of boats in the past decade. He guided the family around TX to discover hidden lakes and had recently purchased a boat to enjoy White Rock Lake just minutes from his Dallas home. Retirement provided him time to rediscover his artistic side through wood working and creating beautiful pieces of home décor. Carl followed in his father’s footsteps as the chef of the family. He was a master meat smoker, skilled cast iron open fire enthusiast, and pie and cobbler baker. Carl was a master story teller and never knew a stranger, striking up a conversation with anyone. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and family. Carl age 69, of Dallas, Texas, passed away on August 20, 2017 after a fight with metastatic Melanoma.
He is survived by his wife, Margie Grey of Dallas, Texas; daughters, Farrah Christine Grey West and husband Brian of Plano, Texas, Andrea Michelle Johnson and husband Brandon of McKinney, Texas; grandchildren, Cooper Owen Johnson, Dillon Lawrence Johnson and Kason Lee West; brothers, Richard E. Grey and wife Brenda of Eclectic, Alabama, Philip E. Grey and wife Stephanie of Sevierville, Tennessee; nieces, Crystal M. Bennett and husband David of Jonesborough, Tennessee, Sabra Hinson and family; nephew, Justin Wallace and wife Tammy; brother-in-law, Roger Wallace and wife Carol; mother-in-law, Ellen Wallace; many other loving relatives and friends.
Carl is preceded in death by his parents, Gust E. and Rowena O. Grey and father-in-law, R.D. Wallace.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, August 27, 2017 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Allen, Texas. The family will receive friends during a visitation being held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Saturday evening, August 26, 2017 at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers the family welcomes you to donate to the Hendricks Foundation of Plano: www.hendrickscholarship.org