Major Robert S. Wray

Born in Milton, Iowa on October 9, 1916
Departed on April 27, 2012. Resided in Marion, Iowa.

Memorial

Major Robert S. Wray, Ret., 95, of Cedar Rapids, died Friday, April 27, 2012 at the Hospice House of Mercy. Services: 11 a.m. Tuesday at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories by Sr. Mary Lou Podzimek. Interment: Swedesburg Cemetery, Swedesburg. A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.
Bob is survived by his son, Col. David (Frieda) Wray of Fallbrook, CA and his daughter, Jan (Perry) Walton of Marion; five grandchildren, Alisa and Tapiana Wray, Gina and Shawn Holman, and Randy Walton; four great grandchildren; nephew, Carl (Maribelle) Lund; and niece, Carol (David) Pitts. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marie; parents, and sister, Rowena.
Bob was born October 9, 1916 in Milton, Iowa to Ed and Grace Wray Tackelson. He attended Iowa Wesleyan College, Mt. Pleasant on a football scholarship before enlisting in the Army Air Corps prior to WWII. As an aviation pioneer, he courted his college sweetheart, Marie Lund, by landing his airplane on country roads and pastures. They married on September 9, 1939 in Swedesburg and immediately departed for duty in the Philippines. Lt. Wray became the Commanding Officer of the 34th Pursuit Squadron, flying P40’s. He was General Wainwright’s Air Officer, Provost Marshall and photography officer for Clark and Nichols Field in the Philippines.
On April 9, 1942, American and Filipino troops on the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines surrendered to the Japanese which set the stage for The Bataan Death March. Bob was one of the few survivors and remained a prisoner for over three and a half years. After spending a year and a half recovering from his near death experience, Major Wray retired honorably with a medical discharge. He received several awards and medals including the Silver Star and Purple Heart.
He became a Corporate Pilot for LaPlant – Choate Mfg. Company and later was employed by Iowa Manufacturing Company (Howard Hall) as Assistant to the President and Corporate Pilot, retiring in his seventies. During this time he was on the Cedar Rapids Airport Commission.
Bob enjoyed his time mowing the Marion Airport, owned by his daughter and son-in-law, critiquing airplanes taking off and landing. He will be missed by all.
The family wants to thank the Hospice House of Mercy and all their friends for their concerns and thoughtfulness.

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