Furniss Deel Griffin

Furniss Deel Griffin, 93 of Independence, MO passed away Sunday July 10, 2016 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Blue Springs, MO. A cremation is planned with a memorial gathering to celebrate his life will be held from 6 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday evening, July 14, 2016 at the Carson-Speaks Chapel, 1501 W. Lexington Ave., Independence, MO 64052. Donations may be made in his name to the Veterans Administration Hospital in Kansas City, MO. Furniss was born in Harlingen, TX in 1922. He grew up in San Antonio, TX and graduated from Jefferson High School and Trinity University. He was also an Eagle Scout and life guard. He was a member of United States Marine Corps and proudly served in WWII. He moved to El Paso, TX with his wife in 1957. They settled in a young and growing NE El Paso. They raised their family in a most wonderful neighborhood, Mountain Park, where neighbors soon became family and are still to this day. He was active in the community where he served on the 1962 El Paso Planning Commission, assisted in locating a YMCA branch to the North East side and received the first annual North East Businessman of the Year Award in 1974. He is preceded in death by the love of his life and wife of 62 years, Mary Louise “Skip” Griffin; a brother Columbus Hampton Griffin; mother, Ima, father, C. Hampton; mother in law Grace Blackstone and aunt Pat Park. He is survived by his loving and grateful family; his children, Richard Griffin, Steve Griffin and wife Sherry Griffin, Cindy Griffin Morrow; his grandchildren, Alex Griffin, Tiffany Grace Griffin, Astred Griffin, Lindsay Morrow and Morgan Griffin; and last but not least his ever constant companion and guard dog “Susie Poo”. The people that met Furniss Deel Griffin never forgot him. His humor, kindness and generosity seemed to have had an uplifting effect on so many people, “there is always hope”. Thank you for showing us how to live and love. You are our hero. We love you daddy. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Carson-Speaks Chapel (816) 252-7900)