July 28, 1926 ~ October 2, 2013 (age 87)
Mary Kathryn “Kay” Gragg, 87, passed away at 9:00 a.m., October 2, 2013 in Norman, Oklahoma. She was born July 28, 1926 to Eunice R. and Ernest S. Newcombe in Wichita, Kansas. Kay received her schooling in Wichita, graduating from Wichita High School East in 1944.. In the fall of 1944, she entered nurse’s training at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas. It was there that she met her future husband, Chuck Gragg. Kay graduated in 1947 and she and Chuck were married June 13, 1948 in The First Methodist Church in Wichita. They shared almost fifty-nine years together.
While Chuck pursued his pre-med studies at the University of Denver, Kay worked as a nurse in Denver. Upon Chuck’s graduation, he entered the Air Force and thus began their exciting life of travel they enjoyed for so many years. From pilot training in Georgia, Texas and Oklahoma to three years in France, to six years in Kansas where they shared many visits with their families in Wichita and Kansas City, Kansas. On to March AFB, California; Omaha, Nebraska; Taipei, Taiwan, and finally, back to Warren AFB where their Air Force life began. Kay loved to cook, entertain, sew, bowl and play bridge.
Upon her husband’s retirement from the Air Force, he became active in Masonry and in November 1984, they were initiated into Mizpah Chapter No. 36 and enjoyed many years of involvement in Eastern Star and other Masonic organizations. She was also a member of First United Methodist Church; Cancer Assistance Association; Military Wives’ Club and XJWC.
Kay is survived by her two sons Mark Gragg and his wife, Linda and David Gragg and his wife, Dona; four granddaughters Kelli Adkins (Wayne Blackman), Natasha Morrissey (Bryon), Calyn Greenberg (Craig), and Samantha Gragg; and five great-grandchildren Alexis Adkins, Teagan and Kyla Morrissey, Trenton Blackman and Tyler Greenberg. She is also survived by her sister Judy Stuart and her family and sister-in-law, Marsha Duval and her family.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Chuck, her parents, her brother and two brother-in-laws.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Kay to Mizpah Chapter No. 36 Sound System, P.O. Box 4173 Cheyenne, WY 82003 or the Cancer Assistance Association, c/o Shirley Hayes, 5700 Dell Range, Cheyenne, WY 82009.
Kay’s memorial service will be held at a later date to be determined.