David Griffin
David Wayne Griffin, loving father, brother and friend, and resident of Sullivan, Missouri, passed on from this mortal life on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at Missouri Baptist Hospital in Creve Coeur, from complications related to Covid-19.
David was born November 29, 1957 at St. Louis City Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, to Jimmie and Kathleen Griffin, he was the oldest of four children. He learned karate under his longtime mentor and was an excellent drummer. He graduated from St. Charles High School in 1976 and started his military career that same summer. For the next five years, he was in the S-3 US Army 2nd, 503rd, 101st Airborne. He and his first wife, Anne Marie Sherman, traveled from St. Charles, Missouri, to Germany, Kentucky, and then back to Missouri, during those years bearing five children to start a family. He eventually settled down in Owensville, Missouri, where he and his family shared the gospel of Jesus Christ with their neighbors and friends as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After the military, he worked as a factory laborer, insurance agent, courier for constable’s office, and most recently retired from Rosebud Café, where everyone called him “Super Dave” because he worked so hard.
David later moved to California and then Utah, where he and his second wife, Renee, brought two young boys into the family. They spent time with Kathleen and Julie camping and cooking while out west. Sometime after, David moved back to Missouri where he resided in Cuba for many years, until recently moving to Sullivan in 2017. David found joy in serving the people of the Sullivan Ward. He was called to serve as the Executive Secretary under Bishop John Hamblin, and currently Bishop Dean Matthews, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He recently picked back up on old hobbies that he enjoyed, such as running, biking, and serving others. He was an avid patriot of the United States Constitution and took pride in sharing positive messages with others about his beliefs in free agency and religion.
David will be deeply missed by family and friends but we are grateful for his life and for the lessons he taught each of us. We are proud of the life he led and are inspired to always give our best effort to make life count, because that is the example he set.
David is survived by his seven children: Robyn Matheson, Dawn Brown, Mae Dietz, David Griffin II, Victoria Lloyd, Nathaniel Griffin and Nicholas Griffin; his sisters: Mary Willimann, Julie Griffin, Betty Schmidt and Michelle Griffin; his brother, Richard Meyer; his uncle, George House; and nephew, Jeremy Willimann.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Kathleen Mary House; and his father, Jimmie Eugene Griffin.
A memorial service is scheduled for 10 a.m., Saturday, August 7, 2021 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 611 Deer Path, Sullivan, MO 63080, with Bishop Dean Matthews officiating. A graveside ceremony for immediate family will follow at the Boeuff Presbyterian Cemetery in Gerald, Missouri.
Flowers, donations, and condolences can be offered to Mary Willimann at 605 E Apple Ave, Owensville, MO, 65066.
Arrangements were under the care of the Eaton Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Sullivan.