Thomas Joseph Griffin

Thomas Joseph Griffin of Highlands Ranch, Colo., passed away Wednesday, May 11, at The Vi at Highlands Ranch. He was 90.

Col. Griffin was born May 14, 1925, to John Myrven and Lauretta (Saul) Griffin in Lincoln, Neb. He graduated from Cathedral High School in Lincoln in 1943, and later attended Presbyterian College, Clinton, S.C; Wichita (Kan.) University, and the University of Arizona.

He married Cecelia G. Laux on Sept. 4, 1950, in Lincoln, and they had three children: Tom, Gayle and Cyn.

After service in the Army Air Corps during World War II, Col. Griffin was employed at Gold’s Department Store in Lincoln. He was recalled by the Air Force as a bombardier during the Korean War, and remained in the military until he retired as a lieutenant colonel in September 1967. The family located to Littleton, Colo., where he worked for Gates Rubber Co., until January 1980.

While in the Air Force, Col. Griffin was active in Toastmasters International and served as president of the local chapters in Portsmouth, N.H., and Abilene, Texas. He also was active in Knights of Columbus and served as deputy grand knight in Wichita.

He was preceded in death by his wife; his brother, Bill; and his daughter Cynthia L. Sanders.

Col. Griffin is survived by his son, Tom (Nancy Nemec) Griffin of Greeley, Colo.; his daughter Gayle M. Carroll of Lewisburg, Ohio; his grandchildren Matt (Moira Coogan) Carroll of Lafayette, Colo.; Martin (Megan) Carroll of Elmhurst, Ill.; Timothy Rands of Mahtomedi, Minn., and Megan (Joseph) Chase of Mahtomedi; son-in-law, Terry Sanders of San Antonio, Texas; former son-in-law, Tim Carroll of Chicago; four great-grandchildren; several cousins, nieces, nephews, great- and great-great-nieces and -nephews; and numerous in-laws.

A Rosary and memorial service were held Monday morning in Littleton. A Rosary will take place at 10 a.m. Wednesday followed by a funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 3128 S. St., Lincoln. A military burial will follow at Memorial Park, 6700 S. 14th St., Lincoln.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Denver Hospice, 501 S. Cherry St., Suite 700, Denver, Colo. 80246.

Arrangements by Drinkwine Family Mortuary, Littleton, and Trump Memorials and Funeral Services, Lincoln.

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