Candice "Candy" Jan (Smails) Gray

Candice “Candy” Jan Gray passed away on May 18, 2018 after a brief illness. She was born in Seattle, July 21, 1944 to Franklin and Davida (Phillips) Smails.  After her fathers’ untimely death, she and her mother returned to Montana where Candy grew up, primarily in the Belt area. She received her education at Belt High School and the University of Montana where she was a member of Tri-Delta Sorority. She married her high school sweetheart, Gary, in Missoula in 1966 where they lived until moving back to Belt. They resided in Belt her entire life.

After their daughter, Sherry Beth was born, Candy was a stay at home mom until Sherry entered school. She then ran for public office in Belt and was elected city clerk and treasurer, serving for 7 years. She joined the Belt Valley Bank and worked there for 29 years until her retirement in 2009. During that time, she also successfully ran for a position on the Belt School Board where she served for one term. Candy was a volunteer with the Belt Theater Company and served as their treasurer for 12 years. She loved cats, books and was a passionate reader.

After retirement, Candy and Gary became snowbirds and spent five winters in Lake Havasu City, AZ. She was a breast cancer survivor and lived with COPD and RA for many years.

Candy is survived by her husband, Gary of Belt; daughter, Sherry (Kelly) Coffin of Bozeman; four grandchildren, Rachel, Hannah, Elisa and Josiah also all of Bozeman.

No services are planned at this time per her wishes. A graveside service will be held later this spring for friends and family. Croxford Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.

Memorials to the givers choice, or to the Belt Performing Arts Center, PO Box 604, Belt, MT 59412

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