Celebrating the life of Michael Kenneth Griffith Jr.
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Obituary for Michael Kenneth Griffith Jr.
Beloved son, brother, and father, Michael Kenneth Griffith Jr., passed away peacefully after a brief illness at his home in Brookings, OR, March 26, 2019. He was 56 years old.
Michael was born October 4, 1962 in Upland, CA to Michael Griffith Sr. and Judi Griffith (nee’ Carter) . After his parents’ divorce, Michael eventually moved to live with his father in the small town of Red Oak, OK. Mike considered Red Oak his hometown, growing up working on the family farm and playing sports – a passion that never left him. In high school, “Griff” as he was known, attended Kiamichi Area Vo-Tech to learn welding – a skill he exceeded at and that served as his career up until he passed. Mike formed lifelong friendships with his small graduating class of 1981 from Red Oak HS - staying in touch and attending class reunions whenever he could.
After high school, ‘Little’ Mike moved with his family to Brookings, OR to help build their new home. He then spent a year back in Red Oak, finally returning to Brookings to work for Mike Sr. at Griffith Welding and Machine on Wharf St. But two Griffiths in the same shop was one Griffith too many, and Mike Jr. soon went to work, off and on, for Tidewater Contractors, Inc. where he was still working when he passed - for a total of almost 30 years. He also spent time commercial fishing with his Dad and brother John on the family’s F/V the Kealynn. Mike enjoyed camping on the Chetco, fireworks at the beach, a beer with friends and had a wickedly inappropriate sense of humor, as well as an uncanny knowledge of sport stats.
Mike was preceded in death by his mother and step-father, Judi and David Staten, step-mother Jane Griffith and infant sister Mary Jane Griffith. He is survived by his father Mike Griffith Sr, sons Macsen and Sean Griffith, their mother ex- wife Cheri Griffth, , sister Cynthia Haskins (sp Donnie), brother John Griffith (sp Debra) nephew Wes Griffith, sister Michelle Perlich (sp Chad) and nephew Lucien Perlich, step-daughter Dana Keith Blunt and step-son Rusty Keith from a previous marriage, as well as several aunts, uncles and cousins (you know who you are and that you meant very much to Mike).
Mike LOVED sports –in lieu of flowers, the family would be honored if you would like to donate in Mike’s name to:
BHSD 17C Attn: Bruins Sports/Memory of Mike Griffith Jr, 564 Fern Ave, Brookings, OR 97415
or to:
Brookings Harbor Little League, In the Memory of Mike Griffith Jr. PO Box 1424, Brookings, OR 97415
The family would also like to thank Mary Fox at Redwood Memorial, and the patrons and crew of the 101 Bar and Grill for their thoughtfulness.
A Memorial service will be held this Saturday May 4th at 1pm at St Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 401 Fir Street in Brookings, led by Father Bernie Lindley. The family invites all who would like to share their stories and memories, colorful or otherwise, to attend. An informal reception with light refreshments will follow.
