James "Jim" Albert Gray

OCALA - James A. "Jim" Gray, age 75, of Ocala, Florida, and formerly of Trimont and Pelican Rapids, MN, and Westboro, WI, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.

A Celebration of Life service will be held for Jim at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at the Sinn Family Celebration of Life Center - Trimont (111 Apple Street East, Trimont, MN 56176). The service will be recorded and available afterward on Jim's obituary page. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Jim will be laid to rest near his family at First Lutheran Church Cemetery in rural Trimont.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Rewind Center in Perham, MN, or the Lake Owassa Residence (Benjamin's Home) in St. Paul, MN. If you would like to leave a message of sympathy for Jim's family, you can do so at his obituary page at www.sinnfuneralhome.com. 

James “Jim” Albert Gray was born in Fairmont, Minnesota, and attended school in Trimont. After graduating from Trimont, he then graduated from the University of Minnesota, Moorhead with a degree in Education. Jim married his wife in 1973, and together they shared many meaningful years raising their two children, Benjamin and Rebecca on a hobby farm near Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, where they built a life rooted in family, hard work, and community.

In 2018, after retirement, Jim and Kris moved to Westboro, Wisconsin, to be closer to family, especially the grandchildren. The warmer weather then brought Jim and Kris to Ocala, Florida in 2023, where he spent his final years.

Jim lived a full and adventurous life. He started work as a contractor, and in 1985, he became an addiction counselor in Northwestern Minnesota, a career that reflected his skill, patience, and dedication. He worked for many years as the Director of Rewind Center in Perham, Minnesota. Jim was very proud of his work and his 44 years of sobriety.

Most importantly, Jim was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He was known for his strong work ethic, his willingness to help others, and his sense of humor. Jim enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, woodworking, and fixing or building just about anything. His love for sports, especially baseball, often had him playing or cheering on one of his favorite Minnesota teams.

He especially loved spending time with family - whether it was gatherings, working on projects together, or simply sharing stories. Jim was happiest when he was visiting with lifelong friends, talking politics, watching a baseball game, and being surrounded by the people he loved.

Jim is survived by his wife, Kristine; his son, Benjamin Gray; his daughter, Rebecca (Chris) Hebda; his grandson, Dante Axon; his granddaughter, Nialla Hebda; his sister, Janet Meyer; and many step-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends who will miss him dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth and Albert Gray; his brother, Jerry Gray; nephew, John Gray; and other family and friends.

Today, we gather not only to mourn Jim’s passing, but to celebrate his life - the life of a man who worked hard, loved deeply, and left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him. May we carry forward Jim’s kindness, his steady presence, and his love for family. Though he may be gone from our sight, he will forever remain in our hearts, and his laugh will always remain in our hearts and memory.