Farewell to Another Skier - Hilde Gray

Hildegarde Gray (June 21, 1927 – November 12, 2012)

With a heavy heart we must report the passing away of Hilde Gray on November 12, 2012 after a lengthy illness.

Born in Landshut, Germany, she married Warren Gray, a US Serviceman in Wiesbaden, Germany.  In 1955, she moved to New York with her husband and children.  She was very proud when she obtained her US citizenship in 1957.  In 1958, the family moved to Medicine Park, Oklahoma.   In 1958, Hilde and her family learned to ski at Lake Lawtonka behind a 40 horsepower Mercury outboard.  Waterskiing quickly became the family’s favorite recreation, and they could be seen almost every weekend at Lake Lawtonka.  She and Warren were very active members of the Lawton Boat Club for many years.

Although Hilde slalom and trick skied at Lake Lawtonka for many years, she didn’t become involved with competitive water skiing until later in life when she was introduced to it through her daughter and son-in-law, Patti and Mike Bray, and her youngest son, Ken Gray, all of whom are competitive skiers.   She still holds several records, which are listed below.   Notable tournament performances include placing first in Women 9 Tricks at the 2004 South Central Regionals at Cypress, Texas, and winning second place in this same trick event at the 2004 Water Ski Nationals at West Palm Beach, FL.   In the Oklahoma State Water Ski Championships, she placed first for several years in her age division in trick skiing. 

Hilde loved the outdoors.  Of course, she loved boating and skiing, but she also enjoyed walking for fitness even into her eighties.  One of her favorite walking events was the annual Frost Your Fanny walk in Lawton, where she received the award for the oldest participant for many years.  Each year she looked forward to his event.

Hilde is survived by her three children and their spouses:  Richard and Maria Gray, Norman; Patti and Mike Bray, Marlow; and Ken and Kathy Gray, Lawton.  She has 7 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

Although her health prevented her from skiing the last few years, she could still be seen at ski tournaments in Marlow and Lawton.  We know that Hilde will be greatly missed.

SC Regional Record                      

Women 9 (75-79 ) Tricks                            2004 SC Regionals, Cypress, TX                80 pts                Aug. 2004

SC Reg. Tournament Record      

Women 9 (75-79) Tricks                             2004 SC Regionals, Cypress, TX                80 pts                 Aug. 2004

Oklahoma State Records                          

Women 6 (60-64) Tricks                             Outlaw Lake, Marlow, OK                         200 pts                Jul. 1993

Women 8 (70-74) Tricks                             Outlaw Lake, Marlow, OK                         160 pts                Jul. 2002

Women 9 (75-79) Tricks                             Outlaw Lake, Marlow, OK                         240 pts                Jul. 2004

     Hilde trick skiing at Outlaw Lake, Marlow

 Hilde at Outlaw Lake, 2004 State

Hilde at Outlaw Lake, 2004 State         

2004 South Central Regionals, Cypress, TX

Hilde with Kayla and Katrina Gray

2004 South Central Regionals