Charlene Hatch Pehrson Gray

Charlene Hatch Pehrson Gray

July 29, 1953 – November 6, 2026

In Loving Memory of Char

If there was one thing you could say about Char, it was that she was truly one of a kind. She never felt the need to follow the crowd, fit a mold, or do things quite like everyone else. She was wonderfully herself: creative, witty, generous, loving, and determined. She had a larger-than-life personality and a way of making life more colorful for those around her.

Born on July 29th,1953 in Fillmore, Utah to Oleen Nelson Hatch and Clara Mae Grimshaw, Char was a small-town girl with a personality that was anything but small. She grew up in the communities of Fillmore, Utah, Winslow, Arizona, South Bend, Indiana and eventually Monticello, Utah surrounded by loving family and wonderful parents who helped shape the person she would become. She loved laughing and making memories with her four siblings that both adored and looked up to her as their big sis. A bit of a tom-boy, she also loved her BB Gun. Her determination was legendary. Once, while attempting to break the world record for walking on stilts, she refused to come inside despite a raging thunderstorm and her mother’s repeated pleas. This same determination would stay with her throughout her life.

Char was the life of the party. She loved music, going for walks, golfing with friends, watching sunsets, and traveling. Some of her happiest moments were spent at Lake Powell water-skiing, fishing, or playing her guitar around a campfire, surrounded by the people she loved. Later in life, she enjoyed cruising around the world, embarking on 21 cruises with her sweetheart and husband of 16 years, Douglas Gray.

A gifted and creative musician, she wrote her own songs and played both the guitar and piano beautifully. Music wasn’t just something she enjoyed; it was one of the many ways she shared herself with the world. Her creativity extended far beyond music, too. She had a special talent for giving clever, personalized gifts that were as unique as she was. She wasn’t particularly famous for her cooking, but she did have a skill for “doctoring” things up. Whether an enhanced jar of spaghetti sauce or Wendy’s Chili, her creations always left you asking for the recipe.

Char had a knack for entering contests and winning things, enjoying her fair share of victories throughout her life. These included winning a full set of encyclopedias as a young girl and winning a trip to Nashville in 2016 to meet and see Carrie Underwood in concert. She won both a year’s supply of Kit Kat’s and Sour Patch Kids that she proudly gifted to her beloved grandchildren.

Family was always an important part of Char’s life. She took so much pride in her two daughters, Rickie and Erica that came from her first marriage to Fredrick Pehrson. Although divorcing after 29 years of marriage, Fred and Char remained good friends throughout her life.

Char married Douglas Gray on April 21, 2010. They enjoyed lots of golf and traveling in their years together. Douglas was a source of strength and comfort to her as she faced difficult health challenges over the last few years and was by her side until the very end.

Being a grandma brought Char absolute joy! She adored each of her grandchildren, attending their sporting events, music recitals, graduations, and never missing a birthday.

Char had a unique ability to make and collect friends wherever she went. She spent many years working for the State of Utah, first for the Department of Human Services, and later as the Director of Human Resources for the Utah Department of Health. Some of her dearest friendships were forged during these working years.

Whether she was golfing, playing music, or spending time with friends and family, Char approached life with enthusiasm and a spirit that was entirely her own. She wasn’t afraid to be different, and she had a heart for people who were excluded or felt different themselves. Her generosity, kindness, and concern for others were as memorable as her personality.

The determined little girl on stilts never went away. When faced with a difficult lung illness later in life called Non-Genetic Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis, Char rose to the occasion with the same fierce resolve that was part of who she was. She explored every possibility, fought with courage, and never easily accepted that something couldn’t be done.

Char passed away on November 6th, 2026, surrounded by so much love during her final days of life. She is survived by her loving husband, Douglas Gray, daughters Rickie Bryner (Michael), Erica Hart (Nicholas), and her grandchildren. She is also survived by her mother, Clara Mae Hatch and four siblings Richard Hatch (Keri), Robert Hatch, Karen Budd (Eric), and Edna Joyce McPhie (Marty). She is preceded in death by her father Oleen Nelson Hatch and her sister Elaine.

It’s hard to imagine a world without her colorful personality, generous heart, and unmistakable spirit. She leaves behind a reminder that life is far more interesting when we dare to be ourselves, love generously, and make music along the way.

We are grateful to know that she is now free of pain and suffering. We have no doubt that heaven is now more lively, musical, and a whole lot more fun with her there!

A Celebration of Life will be held for Char on Saturday, November 21,2026 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at 741 Vista View Ln, North Salt Lake, Utah 84054. A private burial will take place at the Lakeview Cemetery in Bountiful, Utah.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bronchiectasis and NTM Lung Association or to your favorite charity in her honor.