John S. Bray

John S. Bray, of Longmont, Colorado, passed away in his home on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, from a sudden illness.  He was born in Moorhead, Minnesota to parents, Raymond P. Bray, and Dorothy L. Bray (Peterson). John attended school in Moorhead, graduating from High School, and then continuing on to Moorhead State University (Minnesota State University, Moorhead). There he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology. Following graduation he moved to Minneapolis, MN and began his career in pharmaceuticals while working for the University of Minnesota Experimental Organ transplant rejection drug program. Eventually that program ended, and John relocated to Colorado where there was an opportunity to continue working in pharmaceutical development and manufacturing. Over his career he was employed by several companies in the Longmont/Loveland area, and has spent the past several years with KBI Biopharma, Inc.

John was the last of four children, and was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond, and Dorothy, also a sister, Kathryn. He is survived by two brothers, Patrick Bray (Mary) of Milbank, South Dakota, and Steven Bray, Dassel, Minnesota, and a son, Trevor Reed of Pueblo, Colorado. Also left to cherish his memory are his niece, Michelle, Moorhead, and nephew, Geoff, Faulkton, SD, his grandnephews, and nieces, Tate, Maddix, and Reagan of Faulkton, and Celesta of Moorhead.  Plus, his extended family and many friends. 

John enjoyed all types of sports, especially football, and cycling. He also enjoyed nature where his training in biology helped him observe and enjoy wildlife to the fullest. Later in his life he enjoyed just hanging out with friends and colleagues. A gentle soul, he always had time for you and never a cross word for anyone.

John worked professionally for decades in the local biotechnology industry and his contributions to developing vital patient medicines were significant and meaningful. John was beloved within the biotechnology community, including at KBI Biopharma Inc., which he joined in 2014. John cared deeply for his fellow teammates personally and professionally, recognized the importance of developing medicines and continuously endeavored to support his professional colleagues. John will be missed deeply within the local scientific community and his positive contributions to developing medicines will be felt globally for decades to come.

Outside of his professional life, John was a volunteer at the Outreach United Resource Center (OUR Center) in Longmont, Colorado, a community organization aimed at advancing struggling individuals and families towards sell-sufficiency by providing critical services, including food, housing, and utilities. Donations in memory of John Bray, can be made to the OUR Center at https://www.ourcenter.org/.

Funeral arrangements are through Howe Mortuary, Longmont where cremation is planned. A Celebration of Life for John is planned for May 5, 2023, at KBI Biopharma in Boulder, CO.

A second Celebration for Family and Friends will be held at Korsmo Funeral and Cremation Service in Moorhead, MN, on May 19, 2023, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, followed by interment in the St Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery.   

(Howe Mortuary, Longmont, CO and Korsmo Funeral and Cremation Service, Moorhead, MN)