Charles L. Gray; Retired Children’s Dentist

Charles Leslie Gray of Ventura, a retired dentist, died on New Year’s Day after a brief illness. He was 73.

Born April 23, 1926, in Los Angeles, Gray was raised in South Gate, where he graduated from high school. He went on to attend Stanford University.

Impatient to serve in World War II, he volunteered for military service just before his 18th birthday. As a member of the Army’s 7th Cavalry, Gray served in the Pacific theater, earning several meritorious service medals, including a Purple Heart. He was with the first occupational forces in Japan.

After the war, Gray returned to pursue his education--first attending Compton College and then graduating from UC Santa Barbara in 1952 with a bachelor of science degree in biochemistry.

He spent the next eight years at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara in biochemical research before deciding to attend dental school.

In 1956, he met Teddy and they were married in Carmel.

In 1960, Gray graduated from P & S School of Dentistry in San Francisco, which is now a part of University of the Pacific. He started his private dental practice in Oxnard, specializing in children’s dentistry. He retired after 35 years on Jan. 1, 1996.

His hobbies included traveling and gardening.

Gray was a member of the Ventura Rotary Club, Sunrise Optimist Club, Irish American Pediatric Assn. and Ventura County Dental Society.

In addition to his wife, Gray is survived by daughters Leslie O’Brien and Cathleen Lundgren, both of Camarillo, and Elizabeth Davis of Bakersfield; sons Charles of Ventura and Timothy of Pasadena, and eight grandchildren.

A memorial service is scheduled at 3 p.m. Saturday at Community Presbyterian Church in Ventura, with the Rev. Paul Dugan officiating. A Scottish wake will follow at the family residence.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the National Charity League, c/o Debbie Maulhardt, 2271 Dunnigan St., Camarillo 93010 or National Assistance League, c/o Shary Carr, 913 E. Santa Clara St., Ventura 93001.

Arrangements are under the direction of Conejo Mountain Memorial Park & Funeral Home in Camarillo.