John David Griffin, 80, of Middleton, Idaho, died May 30, 2003, of natural causes.
His memorial service was Wednesday at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Caldwell, Idaho.
He was born on June 14, 1922, at Durango, Colo., to James and Clara Logan Griffin. He served in the 104th Infantry Division during World War II. He jumped into France on D-Day and during his four years in the Army he was shot once and bayoneted once and received two Purple Hearts.
After getting out of the service he herded sheep for three big ranches: Little’s, Stringer’s and Quintona. He also worked on rock crushers in Oregon and in the Nevada mines and was a security guard in the Nevada casinos. And he worked in the Nyssa Sugar Factory.
He married Arlene Reed on Sept. 4, 1976. They had lived in many different places together, settling at Middleton in July 1992.
Survivors include his wife, Arlene; a brother, Alvin Griffin of Chappell, Neb.; a sister, Polly Nicely of Baker City; three stepsons, Van Polley of Murphy, Idaho, King and Suzette Polley of Baker City and Larry and Sherry Rogers of Twin Falls, Idaho; and several nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers.
The Flahiff Funeral Chapel of Caldwell was in charge of arrangements.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, June 6, 2003
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor