Larry 'Cliff' Griffin Obituary (1938

Larry Cliff Griffin was born September 17, 1938 in New Plymouth Idaho. He was called home and rejoices with his family in Heaven on Saturday, December 14, 2019. Cliff passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side. He was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church. Cliff was raised in the Kittitas Valley and became an Eagle Scout in 1951. He was a lifelong supporter of Scouting and spent many hours volunteering at Camp Fife. Scouting helped to develop his love of the outdoors and he became an avid hunter and fisherman. He taught many young men safety and hunting courses for them to become certified. Cliff graduated from Kittitas High School in 1957 and attended Central Washington University. Cliff married his high school sweetheart Nadine Evans in 1958. They started their lives in Ellensburg and had many adventures. Cliff was given the opportunity to work for Montgomery Wards and entered the retail sales and training program in 1960 and was with them for 25 years, retiring in 1986. This gave the family many opportunities to travel throughout the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. Cliff loved Alaska and if you spent any time with him he would fill the conversation with stories about his experiences in Alaska. If you have never been there, after talking to him you would want to go. He had many bonding fishing and hunting trips with his sons, and his wife endured those trips as long as she had a book to read. While in Bethel and Nome, Alaska he became a commander in the Alaska Civil Air Patrol Search and Rescue. Cliff enjoyed assisting in the Kuskokwim 300 Dog Race in Bethel and the Iditarod Dog Race in Nome. He was a life member of the Elks. Cliff never met a stranger; he welcomed everyone and enjoyed people. He always looked forward to his coffee time twice a week with his buddies, the monthly luncheon with his Ellensburg classmates of 57 and monthly suppers with his Kittitas classmates. Cliff loved sports, all sports, in his younger days he was a semi-pro bowler, he taught his boys the fine art of baseball and football. After retiring he became an avid golfer and spent many fun filled hours on golf courses wherever he went. In the early years, Cliff loved training his hunting dogs, the kids soon learned these were not pets but were dogs trained for hunting. Also Cliff could barbeque a mean steak and also excelled in barbequing salmon. He is preceded in death by his parents Jasper and Iva (Barr) Griffin, brothers Ray and Eldon Griffin, sisters Ruby Robison and Eudine Flippins and grandson Jeremy Lee. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years Nadine, sons Joseph (Su) Griffin Selah, Nathan (Julia) Griffin Yakima, Scott (DAnn) Griffin Ellensburg and daughter Rebecca (Robert) Gilbert Port Orchard, Sister Evelyn Czapiewski Tacoma, 8 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, plus numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, who were all dear to his heart. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday December 28th at 11:00AM at Wesley United Methodist Church, 14 N 48th Ave, Yakima WA. Luncheon to follow. Special thank you to George Chinn, Chuck Moser, Lloyd Johnson, Gary Staples who stopped by and visited with Cliff these last few weeks, it meant so much to him and Nadine. Also, thank you Memorial Home Hospice for your special attention and loving care. In lieu of flowers, Cliff would appreciate contributions to Wesley United Methodist Boy Scout Program. Celebration of Life Wesley United Methodist Church Saturday, December 28, 2019 11:00 AM 14 North 48th Avenue Yakima, WA 98908 Luncheon to follow.