Austin Corey Gray

Social by nature, Austin Gray was a lover of all people. Very independent and passionate, he never lost sight of his dream of one day working in the film industry. He was a fun-loving son, grandson, step-brother, uncle, and friend to so many. Taken too soon, he leaves behind a rich legacy of living each day to the fullest and working hard to make his way in the world. His positive outlook and easy-going personality will be forever etched on the hearts of his many close friends and family.

Austins story begins in the year of 1989. Sony CD players, Play-Doh Whopper kits, and the Sega Genesis were collecting in homes across the nation. The Berlin Wall was dismantled leading to the reunification of East and West Germany, the first episode of The Simpsons aired, and Back to the Future II opened in theaters. The music of Madonna, New Kids on the Block, and Phil Collins gained in popularity. With the 486 series of microprocessor released by Intel and the computer age gaining momentum, Kirk Alan and Susan Gail (Colwell) Gray welcomed the arrival of their newborn baby boy, Austin at 10:07 a.m. on August 29th at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. From the first moments of his birth, Austins strong personality as a fighter was known. He was rushed to the Riley Childrens Hospital in Indianapolis where he overcame significant complications from a rare heart defect known as the Transposition of the Great Arteries. After more than a month, he returned home where he brought his parents great joy and happiness.

With each doctor visit for several years after, Austin was given the approval to become increasingly more active. Growing up in Columbia City, he tried everything from swimming at his grandparents pool, playing basketball, racing go-carts, and riding horses. He never let the scars nor the stories from his multiple surgeries as an infant slow him down. He actively participated in 4-H where he built a strong love of animals at a young age. He also enjoyed target practice and had an excellent shot, which made him a competitive opponent at paintballing and laser tag as a teen. Austin also kept busy gaming with his close friends Tadd and Nic, as well as bowling. His most favored special interest, however, was captured at the tender age of three when his mother brought him to his first theater film, Beauty and the Beast. It was his first taste of falling in love with movies. With his grandpa, Charles a cinematographer in California, Austin always saw him as an inspiration in the industry and looked up to him.

Austin was always very independent and as young as seven years old, chose to be baptized at the local Lutheran church he attended with his dad. Austin attended the local schools of Thorncreek Elementary, Indian Springs Middle School, and Columbia City High School. Continuing with his desire for photography and film, he was involved with the yearbook as well as writing stories in the school newspaper. An active member of the photo club, he studied the artistic side of imagery. During his teen years, he also acted in his first short movie that contained several clips of a snowball fight! Amidst his exploration of anything film and production, he was also juggling a school schedule and a job with the Kroger grocery store in town. With great anticipation of the Bones Theater to open after its construction, he was one of the first in line to see its feature film during its grand opening! As soon as he graduated with the Class of 2008 from Columbia City High School, he enrolled in higher education pursuing a degree in education. He was often inspired by his favorite high school history teacher and thought he would go down that path, yet while attending Indiana UniversityPurdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW), he decided to follow his true passion of the film industry and take classes in photography and communications. During his studying at school, Austin started working at Walmart in Columbia City pushing shopping carts. He was a dedicated and extremely hard worker who was well liked by his co-workers. Through hard work over the past seven years and proving his personality skills, he moved up to be a Customer Service Manager. In addition, he worked production with Open Sign Productions in Fort Wayne, which allowed him his independence while fostering his management skills and increasing his interest in the film industry. Working production gave him the opportunities for nourishing his strengths at filming where he successfully worked on three films; Phantom of the Woods, followed by, The Stray, and Mad Guys.

Austin lived his life with passion. He had so many various and unique interests. He loved his favorite weekly podcasts as well as helped with the production of Open Sign Productions weekly YouTube video, Phobia, which allowed him a creative outlet for his talent with video production. He enjoyed horror films and was an avid fan of the Comic-Con world. He collected comics and was extremely excited to attend the annual multi-genre entertainment convention in San Diego with his close friend and roommate, Zach. He also took any opportunity he could to attend the HorrorHound Weekend events. With a dream to work in movie production, there was never enough for Austin to see and do in regards to the industry. It was easy to tell that he was well on his way to pursuing his lifelong passion with the entertainment world.

Austin reflected a true acceptance of all people. He had a remarkable gift of making each and every person he met feel special. While working at Walmart for the past three holiday seasons, he held the role of playing Santa Claus and having children visit to share their wishes for Christmas. Austin thoroughly enjoyed bringing many smiles to their faces and was grateful to be a special part in their childhood memories. A great conversationalist, he enjoyed talking to everyone. He liked getting to know people and finding out their special interests. Recently, he had reconnected with Alaura Barnhart, a friend he knew back in his Kroger days, and the two of them had started dating. Described as always happy with a smile that could light up the room, Austin will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

Austin Corey Gray, 27 years young, of Columbia City, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, January 4, 2017 in Fort Wayne. A longtime resident of Whitley County, he played football at both Indian Springs Middle School and Columbia City High School. He leaves behind a loving family, including his father, Kirk (Kathy) Gray, of Churubusco; mother, Suzie Gray, of Columbia City; grandparents, Stan and Joan Gray, of Churubusco and Chuck and Bernie Colwell, of Prescott Valley, Arizona; step-brothers, Kodi (Courtney) Mullins and Austin Gilpin; niece, Nora Mullins; girlfriend, Alaura Barnhart, of Ft. Wayne; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Visitation is 2-8 p.m. Monday, January 9, 2017 at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at the funeral home with Pastor Larry Smith officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Austins memory can be made to Riley Childrens Foundation or Humane Society of Whitley County. Please visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or sign the guest register book.