Gray, Olive Pearl

Olive Pearl Gray was born on February 6, 1929, in Kangley, 
Washington, to Roy J. Peak and Louise Wixon Peak. As the 
oldest of three children, she spent much of her childhood 
caring for her younger sister and brother, as well as working 
on the family farm in Shoshone, Idaho. During World War II, 
Olive and her sister, Elaine, travelled to Sun Valley with the 
Chamber of Commerce where they played steel guitar and 
sang for the soldiers and sailors in the hospital there. The 
sisters were fondly called "The Sawtooth Sisters". She married 
Johnny Urrutia in 1944. Together they had six children; Larry 
(Sue), Louisa (Sam Harris), Connie (Frank Stauts), Johnny, Val 
(Jeff Allen) and Sonja (Marty Humphries). During the course of 
that marriage, Olive worked on the family ranch where they 
raised sheep and later, cattle. Her day often began in the fields 
driving tractor and ended in the kitchen where she prepared 
food for the family and hired hands. The hungry homeless who 
wandered down the railroad tracks knew they would not be 
turned away from her door. Loaves of homemade bread, 
quarts of home-canned fruits and dinner leftovers were a 
feast. When the ranch was sold, Olive and Johnny purchased a 
country store north of Shoshone, Johnny's Country Store. They 
later divorced. Olive served as Deanery president for the 
Roman Catholic Diocese of Idaho, as well as other positions, 
when she was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church in 
Shoshone. She led the church choir and was active in 
maintaining the church, including altar floral arrangements. In 
1970, Olive married Jim Gray and together they raised Jim's six 
children; Jim Jr. (Shelly), Kay (Steve Lippard), Carol, Cindy 
(Brent Trappen), Mike (Stacy) and Lori (Jim Gardner). She 
managed restaurants and worked as a head cook while 
maintaining their busy home in Pocatello, Idaho. Jim's job with 
the Union Pacific took them to Omaha, Nebraska, and then to 
Stockton, California, where they entertained work colleagues 
and friends. Everyone loved to be at Olive's home because of 
the wonderful food; prepared to taste great and look 
beautiful. She was often invited to host company functions 
because none of the local restaurants could compete with her 
presentation or preparation of food. Guests at holidays often 
included homeless people whom Olive had befriended. Olive 
and Jim spent time with their family and friends travelling to 
Hawaii, spending time on the Pacific coast, playing cards, 
cooking, golfing, hunting, fishing and camping. Jim remains 
living in Boise. After a brief battle with cancer, Olive died on 
June 18, 2010. The family is thankful for the care given by St. 
Luke's Hospice during the last weeks of her life. In addition to 
her 12 children, Olive has 40 grandchildren, 35 great-
grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. A Vigil will 
be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 28 and Funeral Mass will be 
celebrated at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 29 at Our Lady of the 
Rosary Catholic Church, 1500 E Wright St., Boise, ID 83706. 
Services are under the direction of Accent Funeral Home, 
Meridian. Condolences may be left for the family online at 
www.accentfuneral.com In lieu of flowers, contributions may 
be made to Catholic Charities of Idaho and the Foodbank of 
Sacred Heart Church, 811 S Latah St., Boise, ID 83705.

Published in Idaho Statesman on June 25, 2010