Frank P. Bray, Jr., 57, of Ottawa passed away unexpectedly on Monday, October 18, 2021 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center.
Memorial services will be held at 1 pm, Saturday, October 23 at Ottawa Funeral Home, with Pastor Glenn Townsell officiating. Visitation will be from 10 am to 1 pm, prior to services, at the funeral home.
Frank was born April 12, 1964 in Ottawa to Frank and Marie (Hott) Bray, Sr. He grew up in Ottawa, graduating from Ottawa Township High School. He moved to Florida to pursue his boxing career before moving back to Ottawa to raise his family. After spending many years together, he married Sheila Lohr on February 4, 1999, and together they’ve raised six children and three grandchildren.
Frank was a professional boxer for several years, and was the alternate for the 1984 Olympics. He worked as a sales manager for Aqua Perfect for the past two years. Frank was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing, hunting, and sports; especially boxing and football.
Frank had a booming laugh and a childlike excitement for everything in life. His consuming laughter was one that made everyone else around him laugh, too. Frank always looked on the bright side and helped anyone and everyone out. He was a family oriented man, and wife and children always came first. He cherished the time he spent with his family, and was always the Number One fan at his children’s sporting events.
He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Sheila; six children, Frankie (girlfriend LeAnn) of Dalzell, Ali of Spring Valley, Mason of Peoria, Austin (Nicole) of KY, Max, and Savannah of Ottawa; three grandchildren, Erik, Emme, and Jayden; his brother, Chuck (Jola) Bray of Ottawa; four sisters, Linda Granados of Streator, Glenda Hernandez, Karla Higgins, and Dana Bray, all of Ottawa; his parents-in-law, Allen Lohr of SD and Marlys Lohr of IA; sisters-in-law, Teresa (Scott) Olson of Montgomery, Melissa (Dave) Yunker, and Amanda Lohr, both of SD; many nieces and nephews; and numerous friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Marie; two sisters, Loretta Tunget and Lora Halm; two uncles, Charles and Gene Bray; nephews, Juan Barrientos and Dalton Colton; grandparents, Charles and Linda Bray, Loretta and Peter Page, and Glenn Hott.
Memorials may be directed to his family.