John Griffin

Obituary for John Sherwood Griffin

July 1, 1932 to February 16, 2023

John Griffin, 90, died at his home in Baker City surrounded by his family. A funeral service will be held on March 3, 2023, at Baker City Seventh Day Adventist Church, Baker City, Oregon, with a viewing at 11:00 AM, the service at 1:00 PM and a graveside service immediately following at the Haines Cemetery with Military Honors.  The funeral service will also be live-streamed through the church’s website at https://bakercityor.adventistchurch.org. 

John was born to parents Alfred L. Griffin and India Pearl Hartle Griffin in Troy, Idaho.  He was the 4th of 5 children and was raised in Troy and the Moscow Mountain area of Moscow, Idaho.  Following his schooling, he worked as a cowboy for Herman Oliver out of John Day, Oregon. 

He served his country from March 1953 to January 1955 in the US Army during the Korean War.  He met Esther Gaio while he was stationed at Fort Ord, CA.  They married on July 4, 1954, in Hayward California.  Their courtship was almost entirely by mail with very few dates that were chaperoned by one of Esther’s brothers.

Daughter Cheryl was born in 1955 and son John was born in 1958.  John was cutting his own firewood at the age of 89 and he loved being in the woods.  He had quite a few jobs throughout his life.  He was the owner of OK Rubber Welders in San Leandro, CA, a cowboy for Gerald Shaw of Long Creek, OR, and he also worked in the logging industry.  He did anything from cutting trees, driving log truck, cutting posts and rails and cedar shakes.  His favorite job was cowboying. 

John loved his horses and was happiest in the saddle.  He loved to read; especially Louis Lamoure books for which he had the entire collection which he read and reread. 

John is survived by his wife of 68 years, Esther, his children and their spouses, Cheryl (Dan) Haberman and John (Kathy) Griffin, his brother Frank (Lillian) Griffin.  In addition, he is survived by his grandchildren Steve (Alicia) Haberman, Michelle (Brian) Gates, Ryan (Marcella) Avery, Rachel (Connor) Toney, Karly (Doug) Pomeroy and his great-grandchildren, Landon, Colton, Joe, Zoe, Parker, Emma, Jaiden, Violet, Silas and Quinn.  Dad loved all things horses, camping, fishing and hunting.  He was the keeper of all information regarding his ancestors and was a fantastic storyteller.  Dad was a simple man, a humble man who loved God, country, his family and friends.  The night before he passed he wanted to watch Jesse Watters, Tucker Carlson and Hannity and he provided input on the evening’s news.  He was predeceased by his parents, brothers and their wives Carl and Mary Griffin and Mitch and Edith Griffin, and his sister Etta Ginter. 

He fought chronic pneumonia all of 2022 and he was very tired.  A few weeks before his passing, he told Cheryl that he had lived a good long life and had absolutely no regrets and that he would do it the same if he had it to do over again.  He was so very proud of his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

For those who would like to make a donation in honor of John the family suggests the Baker Seventh Day Adventist Church School Fund through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home, PO Box 543, Halfway, Oregon 98734. Online condolences can be shared at  www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com.