Robert Lewis Griffith was born on August 24, 1922, near Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, to Elizabeth (Gray) Griffith and Robert Alexander Griffith. He departed this life on May 29, 2017, at the age of 94 in Mountain View, Missouri.
Bob attended school at Dewey, then high school in Thayer, Missouri. He then worked with a CCC Camp in the Kansas City, Missouri area.
Bob enlisted in the United States Army and served as a Sergeant in Headquarter’s Battery of the 459th Anti-Aircraft Artillary, which was attached to the 29th Infantry Division and at times attached to the 28th and 30th Infantry Divisions. He served as a Message Center Chief, leaving New York for England on October 22, 1943. He served in five major campaigns of the European Theater: Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe. He was awarded the Bronze Star for heroic Action in July 1944, and returned home on the Queen Elizabeth in 1945, later receiving an Honorable Discharge.
He was united in marriage to Betty Jean (Taylor) Griffith on January 23, 1946, in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas.To this union, two children were born, Gwen Sue (Griffith) Miller and Lewis Gene Griffith. Bob and Betty resided in Jonesboro, Arkansas, then moved to Thayer, Missouri, where they raised their children and lived for many years.
Bob worked for the Frisco and Burlington Northern Railroads as a Switchman, Yardmaster, Brakeman, and Conductor from October 1945 until his retirement in August 1983.
Bob was preceded in death by his daughter, Gwen Sue (Griffith) Miller and his son, Lewis Gene Griffith, as well as his parents, three brothers, five sisters, two infant sister, and one great grandson.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Jean (Taylor) Griffith, of Mountain View, Missouri; daughter-in-law, Judy Griffith of Memphis, Tennesse; son-in-law, Robert Miller of Mountain View, Missouri; granddaughter, Beth Davis and husband, Mark of Mountain View, Missouri; granddaughter, Amy Miller of Mountain View, Missouri; and two great-grandchildren, Robert Gene Davis and Janie Suzanne Davis of Mountain View, Missouri.
Bob accepted Jesus Christ as his savior and was a long-time member of the Church of Christ, serving as a deacon and elder for many years. His faith was always strong and he was a great example of Christian living for many others. While Bob enjoyed fishing, farming, and was an avid Cardinals Fan, his priorities were always to his family and to serving the Lord.
Funeral services were held Thursday, June 1, 2017 at 11:00 AM at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, Missouri with Barry O’Dell officiating. Burial was in Thayer Cemetery with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer.
May 31, 2017 @ 9:17 am
Over the years I have visited with Betty, initially as her mail carrier; later as her insurance agent; but mostly as friends. I am so sorry for this loss for her, and for the granddaughters. You have made both your Mom & Uncle proud, girls, that you have taken care of your grandparents. It broke my heart that they lost both their children. A now deceased co-worker, boss, and friend of mine who happened to be a close pal of Gwen’s (Norma Renegar Miser Claspill) & I used to talk about the Griffith family with affection almost every time we were together. Thinking of all with the greatest of sincere affection.
May 31, 2017 @ 6:03 pm
Aunt Betty, I’m so sorry for another sad loss for you. You have had too many. I know Uncle Bob is enjoying the reunion in Heaven with Louie, Gwen. and all the family. My prayers are with you all.
May 31, 2017 @ 6:45 pm
Uncle Bob, when us kids were young we would go to Bob and Betty’s and Uncle Bob would have a baseball game on the radio and would have it turned up due to being hard of hearing, and also when we would go to Sunday lunch at Grandma Taylor’s Bob, Doug Taylor, Owen Ray Barker, and Grandpa Taylor would set around and tell stories of the past and they would be laughing all the afternoon, that was the good ole days, will miss you Bob, God Bless, and prayers for the family,