Vernon Vincent Griffin's Obituary
Vernon Vincent Griffin
Vernon Vincent Griffin was born 30 March 1925 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Wilber Roy and Edna Mae Keith Griffin. He passed away peacefully at the home of his daughter on 9 January 2009, at the age of 83.
Vernon was the 10th of 11 children. His very early years were spent in a Tulsa orphanage with his older sister and younger brother. He was later at the Tulsa Boys Home. The children were brought to Oregon in the late 1930's by their older brother.
Following graduation from St. Helens High School, Vern joined the Army, serving in the Philippines & New Guinea areas with the 6th Infantry Division HQ Battery, 80th Field Artillery 155mm from 1943 until 1945.
Following WWII, Vern began work as a telegrapher for the SP&S Railway. His railroad career saw many changes as technology changed the landscape of his rail yard. From the telegraph and manual tracking of rail cars to the punch card data entry days before the computer era. He retired from Burlington-Northern with 44 years of service as the Railway Station Agent of the St. Helens depot.
Vern's desire for public service took him many directions over the years. He served as a member of the St. Helens School District Board, St. Helens Fire District Board, Toastmasters, Elks BPOE 1999, Kiwanis Club and VFW Post 1440. He served as the caretaker of Camp Wilkerson, while on the Columbia County Parks Board. Wherever there was a need for someone to speak for the people, he could be counted on to broach any subject.
The Masonic Lodge recently honored Vern for his 50 years as a Mason. He was also active in the Scottish Rite and was on the Provost Staff of the Al Kader Shrine. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Vern had a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Vern had a great love for the outdoors and enjoyed fishing and loved hunting with family and friends in Eastern Oregon. He knew well every back road in the county and someone who lived on nearly every corner. Vern knew no stranger.
In 1950 he married Barbara Bennett. They became parents of 3 children. They later divorced. He also married Mary Lou Souther and Lorraine Cole. In 1994 he married Bonnie Clevenger, of Albuquerque NM. They enjoyed travel and had years of joy. In the past year, unable to continue to care for each other, Vern and Bonnie each went to live a daughter.
Vernon is survived by his wife Bonnie in San Antonio TX. His children Phyllis Ted Rice, Scappoose; Mark Griffin, Warren and Martha Rodney Shields of St. Helens. Grand-children David Griffin of Guangzhou, China, Robert Amber Horrall, ID; Sanjet
What’s your fondest memory of Vernon?
What’s a lesson you learned from Vernon?
Share a story where Vernon's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Vernon you’ll never forget.
How did Vernon make you smile?