Pinecrest
Memorial Park and Garden Mausoleum, Inc.
Alexander, Arkansas

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U. S. Army
Veteran

U. S. Army Photo
1942

1946 Photo

1953 Photo

1954 Photo

1958 Photo
with sons John
and Sheldon

Vernon & Ethel
1960

Military Tribute
Presented to him by his family
Christmas, 1999

- Vernon J. Griffis -
June 4, 1923 - January 31, 2001
Veterans Field of Honor

Benton, AR - Vernon J. Griffis, 77, passed away January 31, 2001.  He was  born in Pleasant Plains, Arkansas.  Mr. Griffis served in five campaigns with the Army 35th Infantry during WWII.  He was a lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge in Pleasant Plains, Arkansas.  Mr. Griffis was a retired carpenter and was former president of the Carpenters Union, San Diego, California.  His parents, Leonard and Nellie Griffis, sister, Mina Griffis and brother Manuel Griffis, preceded him in death.

Survivors:  His wife of 49 years, Ethel Bailey Griffis, Benton; sons and daughters-in-law, John "Stump" and Georgia Griffis of Little Rock, Sheldon and Donna Griffis of Benton; brothers, Bonnie Griffis, Shelby Griffis, Batesville; Sister, Lila Mae Hays, Pleasant Plains; grandchildren, Christi Griffis, Joey Griffis, Kelly Griffis Jordan, Lucus Henley and Elizabeth Griffis.

Funeral services:  Saturday, February 3, 2001, at Ashby Funeral Home Chapel.  Mr. Griffis will be cremated.  There will be a 1:00 p.m. graveside service on Monday, February 5, 2001, at Pinecrest Memorial Park.  V.F.W. Post 2278 of Hot Springs will hold military honors.

A Tribute To Vernon J. Griffis

He was born in 1923 in the town of Pleasant Plains.
The son of Nellie and Leonard, John Vernon was his name.
Born prematurely, Death waited by his bed,
But he was born a fighter and Death turned away and fled.

He grew up in a country home with brothers and sisters too,
And they rose to hard work each day, there were many chores to do.
His high school years came and went, then he left to fight the war.
He stood face to face with Death again on a bloody Normandy shore.

His unit lost 'most every man, he and one other came out alive.
Death came far too close this time, but he was determined to survive.
He fought in four more campaigns so our country could stay free.
He put his life on the line each day for all of you and me.

He came home from the Army and again Death came close his way --
Though crushed by a tractor, he once more fought death away.
In San Diego he met Ethel and the two of them were wed.
Within two years they were tucking two little boys in bed.

So they could live a decent life, he worked hard every day.
Ethel made their house a home, the boys were hard at play.
When he was only 43, Death knocked upon his door again.
A heart attack this time around, but he would not let Death in.

His heart was sick but he lived on, and fought with all his might,
He exercised 'most every day and ate everything just right.
He lived to see his sons both wed and grandchildren on his knees.
He stayed close by with his support as they raised their families.

Always there to lend a hand, he even helped them build their homes.
He accepted Georgia and Donna as daughters of his own.
John and Sheldon learned from him the many facets of life,
From happiness and good times to difficulty and strife.

Then this past December, his heart grew sick again --
And when death knocked upon his door he was forced to let him in.
He will be missed by us all but we need not look far to see --
He still lives in his sons, his grandchildren and through his family.

- Georgia Griffis

This page dedicated to the memory of Vernon J. Griffis
By John & Georgia Griffis