We Remember

BRAY, John
October 22, 1969 — May 10, 2025
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John Bray, on May 10, 2025 at the young age of 55 years old.
He was born in Kamloops on October 22, 1969, and had a rough start to his life. He was a premature baby of about 5 lbs. He struggled to eat and almost didn’t make it. John was a quiet child who could play contentedly by himself for hours. He loved the outdoors and walking in the orchard and woods, even in the dark. He never had any fear. John loved dogs and cats. He always owned at least one dog and/or cat all his life. As a child, he played hockey for a few years, and then in his teen years, he became a hockey referee. He enjoyed this a lot.
School was a great challenge for him. This environment did not prove to be kind or enriching for him. Yet he was able to thrive in the emerging area of computers. This gift followed him throughout his life. He also found his passion for playing the drums. He would “air drum” to every tune he heard, unless he had his drumsticks with him, then he would drum on any available surface. He graduated from high school in 1987.
John had a wealth of trivia facts. He knew a great many things about a great many topics and loved to share what he knew with others. He had an engaging flair for storytelling. John loved to frequent the same establishments and developed many relationships throughout the community of Kelowna, where he lived the majority of his life.
John gave his life to Jesus Christ in 2000 and served faithfully in many churches, doing sound, audio/visual, and generally helping anyone in need.
May 25, 2006, John married Mirjam Joustra. They had their first child in 2007. He had a total of 5 children. His greatest joy was his children. John enjoyed toting his children around and showing them off to everyone he met.
John is survived by his wife Mirjam; his children, Gabriel, Benjamin, Hannah, Naomi, and Aaron; father Bruce Bray; sister Donagh Czerwinski; grandmother Nancy McDonagh; and uncle Gregory McDonagh. He was predeceased by his mother, Jennifer McDonagh, and his grandfather, Ross McDonagh.
A Memorial Service, with Pastor Lester Mesenbrink officiating, will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at 10:00 am (PDT), at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC. A reception will follow.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area call “Condolences”.
Service
Saturday, June 21, 2025, at 10:00 am (PDT)
Location
SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME
I always enjoyed the visits with John when he would come looking for me at OC bookstore..I worked at bookstore during his school years.
He told me many times how much he loved his family.
Such a kind hearted soul.
Rosa
My deepest condolences to all the family on the passing of John.
May God’s love, grace and peace be with all the family.
Sending my condolences to all of John’s family. I’m praying for God’s comfort as you remember his life. I knew John when I lived in Kelowna. He would join in on some of the young adult gatherings we had.
My condolences to your whole family, so sorry for your loss.