Leland "Lee" B Griffin

Leland Bryan Griffin, age 73, my sweetheart of more than 47 years, and beloved father of Jennifer Lynn Griffin and the late David Scott Griffin, passed away Tuesday, May 12, 2015 after a courageous fight with ALS (Lou Gehrig Disease). Lee was a perfect example of what faith, strength and courage are.

Lee was born December 31, 1941 in Mason, Michigan to the late Walter and Dorothy Griffin. Although Lee grew up on the western side of the state, he lived on the east side most of his life. He was a long-time member of Pilgrim Lutheran Church of Marysville and served faithfully over the years.

Lee and his wife, Carol Suzanne Cumming, met in college and it was love at first sight! They were married August 12, 1967 at Grace Episcopal Church in Port Huron.

Lee graduated from Shelby High School, Eastern Michigan College of Commerce, St. Clair County Community College and Wayne State University. He served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War from 1966-1968. He retired from the Department of Human Services in 2000. He learned the typewriter and safe business from his late father-in-law, Leslie Cumming, and picked up the talent of repairing them very quickly. Using that training, he owned and operated Griffin Safe Company for many years.

Lee had a quick wit, was talented and very athletic. Some of his favorite times were playing basketball (especially playing on the Army basketball team), baseball and all sports in general. He loved every kind of music and had fun strumming on his guitar. Lee loved to dance! The kids didn’t call him “rubber legs” for nothing!! He and Carol had great times going to polka dances over the years and camping with their other special families, Graham & Betty Baker, the late Frank and Betty Barbe, Alfred “Duke” and Nancy Gorinac, Barry and Darlene Griffin, Bonnie and the late Michael Landschoot, Robert and Mary Ann Sheehy, Ann and the late William Vincent, and so many more wonderful friends. You have always been here for us through laughter and tears and we thank you from the bottom of our heart.

Lee loved being outdoors and working in the yard. He had a passion for garage sales and trading in antiques. Lee had a great skill for picking something broken out of the junk and repairing it. He was such a handy man and loved being able to help anyone. (Gosh honey, I miss everything you did around the house and yard!!!) Lee also loved old car shows and driving his 1970 Cutlass Supreme Convertible.

Lee is survived by his beloved wife of 47 years, Carol; loving daughter, Jennifer; adored grandson, Carter David Isiah Stafford; and his loving siblings, Barry N. (Darlene) Griffin of Laingsburg, Michael D. Griffin of Hesperia, Norwood Gregory Griffin of Walhalla, Bradley S. (Cynthia) Griffin of Haslett, Dennis D. Griffin of Hesperia, Dawn M. (Joseph) Flanery of Hesperia, Candace L. LeMaire of Grand Haven, Bethany M. (Terry) Newkirk of Grand Haven, Wendolyn G. (Richard) Irons of Morristown, Tennessee, Stephanie B. Chamberlain of Grand Haven, Mary M. Griffin of Rothbury and Claudine L. (Bearle) Eastling of Grand Haven; special sister-in-law, Linda Willis of Croswell; and many loved nieces, nephews and cousins. Lee is also survived by his “other brother always in heart”, Harvey and Mary Ann Brown and “our other very special daughter in heart”, Kelly McVerry and family; also our loving family, Bonnie, Jeanine and Rylie Foster.

The family honors the memory of Leland and invites you to visit and share memories from 2-8 pm on Friday in the Marysville Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, May 16, 2015 in Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Marysville with visitation beginning at 10:00 am. Pastor John W. Hitzeroth will officiate.

Burial will follow in Riverlawn Cemetery, Marysville. Military honors will be conducted under the auspices of the U.S. Army and the Veterans Honor Guard Alliance.

Pallbearers will be Barry Griffin, Michael Griffin, Greg Griffin, Bradley Griffin, Dennis Griffin and Harvey Brown. Honorary pallbearers will be Greg Badley, Bernie Kersten, Michael King, Scott Lavis, Brian Smith and Dan Ryan.

Memorials may be made to the ALS of Michigan, Pilgrim Lutheran Church or the Paralyzed Veterans of America Michigan Chapter.

Thank you Pastor John, dear family and friends for making the long drive to visit us and all of your prayers, love and support during this very difficult time. We also wish to extend our gratitude for the special care given to Lee by the caring nurses, respiratory therapists and aids at Clarkston Specialty Care and to Stephanie from the Veterans Administration for all of her help and support. You will always be very special to our family.