David James Grey

David James Grey – dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and friend – passed away surrounded by his loved ones at Evergreen Retirement Community in Oshkosh, WI on Friday, December 15, 2023, after a long battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). David was 78 years old.

David was born to Clement and Mary (Spanbauer) Grey in New London, WI on March 2, 1945. David grew up in Clintonville, WI and graduated from Clintonville High School in 1963 before attending Wisconsin State University – Oshkosh. David majored in English and had a minor in Journalism. While attending WSU-O, David met the love of his life, Julie Thomas.

David and Julie married on May 20, 1967, and soon after welcomed their first son, Steven. A few years later the family grew to four with the birth of another son, Michael. As he was building his family, Dave was also building a career as a writer for the Oshkosh Daily Northwestern. In 1967, David accepted a position as a sportswriter with the newspaper. This position eventually led to jobs as the City Editor, Business Editor, Special Editions Manager and Credit Manager with the organization over a thirty-six year period. Dave left the news business in 2002 to embark on a new career as a realtor with Schwab Realty in Oshkosh. Dave worked in real estate another eighteen years until he retired in 2020.

Throughout his life, David had a passion for sports. Whether it was playing them, writing about them, coaching them or refereeing them, Dave was involved. Some of his fondest memories came from his coverage of the Green Bay Packers when he was a sportswriter. Dave was a huge Milwaukee Brewers fan and always listened to Bob Uecker broadcast games on the radio. He was also a follower and supporter of local high school and club sports.

In the early 90’s Dave became a high school athletics official to stay involved in the sports scene. Dave was a referee for basketball and football, and he was an umpire for baseball and softball. He and his partners officiated high school games all over the state of Wisconsin. Football was always his favorite sport to officiate, and he and his crew were rewarded by being chosen to referee WIAA high school football state championship games in 1999, 2002, 2006 and 2011 at Camp Randall stadium in Madison. He always viewed those games as the “Super Bowls” of his officiating career.

When Dave was not working, he could usually be found in his garden tending to his flowers. He always had the best zinnias and irises in the neighborhood. Dave was also very involved in his church, St. Jude the Apostle Parish in Oshkosh. If he wasn’t ushering at a Sunday morning mass, he would be distributing communion or helping in some way or another. Those that knew Dave will miss his quick wit, infectious smile and friendly personality.

David was preceded in death by his parents Clement and Mary Grey and sister Joyce (Jack) Gretzinger. David is survived by his wife of 57 years, Julie Grey; children: Steven (Stacey) Grey, Michael (Laurie) Grey; grandchildren: Kaitlin, Alex, Erik, Campbell and Marnie Grey; siblings: Jack (Rochelle) Grey and Michaelean Nelson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Christian Mass will be celebrated for David on Thursday, December 21, 2023 at 11:00 am in St. Vincent church St. Jude the Apostle Parish, 1225 Oregon St. in Oshkosh with Father Louis Golamari as celebrant. A time of visitation will be held at the church starting at 9:00 am going until the time of Mass.

The family would like to thank those from Home Instead (Amy), the Theda hospice team (Stacy, Angie, Jamie, Riley), the staff at Cherry Meadows and Evergreen Retirement Community for their outstanding care and support during this very difficult time. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to: CurePSP, 325 Hudson Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10013.