Brandon Solarez
Gray, Chad Frederick was born March 20, 1981 and died tragically february 20, 2021 due to an accidental drowning while spear fishing at Saguaro Lake in Arizona. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him as he was known for his generosity and kindness always putting others' needs before his own. He was the son of Cynthia L. (Cullen) Pilson and Dean R. Gray and stepmother Linda Gray. He is survived by his younger brother Nathan R. Gray of Illinois, whom was his best friend and confidant and stepbrothers Michael and Eric Chandler of Massachusetts.
Chad was a wonderful father to his daughter Natasha whom he adored and who made his eyes light up everytime he saw her, and his son Mateo whom he also adored. He loved being a stepfather to Trevor whom he enjoyed playing sports with. His children and stepson meant everything to him. He leaves behind his x-wife and friend Natalia Payne, grandparents Frederick and Anita Cullen and Dorothy Scherenberger along with uncles; Timothy Cullen, Darrell Gray (Maribeth), Danny Gray (Joanne), Darren Gray, many cousins, great aunts and uncles and many friends. Chad was preceded in death by his grandfather Charles D. Gray whom he cherished and his uncle, Benjamin Gray.
Chad served in the Marines from 2002-2006 serving in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
By trade Chad was a painter but also worked for Casa D'Amore Family Care where he took a personal interest in the boys that resided there and would often take them under his wing, sometimes taking them to meet his mom, go camping, fishing, or just out for a meal. Chad loved animals and always had a dog or two that you would see either beside him or not far behind. Chad believed that when you died you were just asleep and that there would be a resurrection of the dead to a paradise here on earth.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to an animal shelter or animal rescue would be much appreciated.
