Grayson Ralph Piepgrass was born on Sept. 6, 1950 and passed away on July 31, 2018. He grew up in Visalia, where he attended Elbow Creek School through 8th grade. In 1968 he graduated with honors from Redwood High School. While at Redwood he played trumpet in the Ranger Band. After high school he moved to Fresno to attend Fresno Pacific College. There he double majored in Bible and Sociology. In those years, a friendship with Bonnie Wiens blossomed into love and they were married shortly after graduating in 1972. While a student he became the trainer and manager of the college basketball team his last 2 years. This experience and training allowed him to volunteer as an athletic trainer at Tulare Union, Dinuba, and Atwater High Schools. He very much enjoyed those opportunities. Grayson went on to the Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary and earned a Master's degree in Christian Education. He served at Atwater Baptist and Tulare First Baptist in those early years. In 2002 he earned a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Counseling from the University of San Francisco. The family moved to Dinuba in 1986 where he became an Associate Pastor at Dinuba Mennonite Brethren Church. He served there until 2003, the last 4 years as Senior Pastor. He was active in the community serving as president of the Ministerial Association, various school site councils, and coached little league and soccer for several years when his sons played. In 2004 they moved to Visalia and Grayson worked as a part time Associate Pastor at Neighborhood Church and later at Tulare Evangelical Free Church and Shafter Mennonite Brethren Church where he worked as the Pastor of Care until his passing. His love for the Lord Jesus energized his ministries in each church. He was known as a man who loved Jesus and extended that love to those in his congregation and community. He had a unique God given ability to understand and encourage those he counseled and those in his congregation. Grayson and Bonnie had opportunities to visit missionaries in Portugal, Brazil and Paraguay. He also went as the trainer/manager of a basketball mission team to Thailand in 2006. All of these travels gave him a better appreciation for other cultures and ministries. Grayson leaves his wife Bonnie of Exeter, son Seth and wife Erin of Laurens, SC, son Noel and wife Megan of Exeter. He adored his 7 grandchildren, Gunnar, Cooper, Asher, Harper, Esther, Chava and Gracie. He also leaves his brother Kent and wife Michelle of Middletown, OH, his sister Kristen of Bakersfield, and 1 niece and 2 nephews.