Griffith John Thomas

Griffith John Thomas, 90, passed away peacefully Wednesday, November 20, 2019 in Carlsbad,

California. He was born October 13, 1929 in Highland, California to Griffith Evan Thomas and Mildred

Thomas (Lewis - Holstead). He grew up in the Highland/San Bernardino area and was the oldest of six

brothers and sisters. He graduated from San Bernardino High School in 1947 and worked on the citrus

farm and as a welder’s helper. In October of 1948, he joined the Navy and shortly thereafter entered the

Metalsmiths School and Naval Training Center in San Diego, California. It wasn’t long till he began to

perform duties on the U.S.S. Brush (DD745), a destroyer class vessel at the Korean War. On September

26, 1950, the U.S.S. Brush hit an underwater mine in Tanchon, North Korea, and Griff was badly injured

with burns over much of his body. He received a purple heart for his service and after a long recovery

period was honorably discharged in January of 1952. After being discharged, in 1952, he married his

wife, Beth Cox, at the Mission Inn in Riverside, California. Shortly afterward, they started their own family

and lived in San Bernardino for a time till moving to Rialto. As the kids grew up, Griff became not only a

father to his own children but to all the kids in the neighborhood. He loved being with all the combined

families and family reunions were a treat, where someone always made chocolate cake or pie, his

favorites. He coached Pop Warner football for a number of years and was devoted to his wife and

children, attending all their games, school functions, and events. He also enjoyed playing cards with

friends and family members and it was a weekend enjoyment for both Griff and Beth. He worked at the

7-up Bottling Company in San Bernardino for 30+ years and retired at the age of 58. After retirement, Griff

and Beth moved to Encinitas, California, where they lived for the last 36 years. He and Beth were active

members of the United Methodist Church of both Rialto and Encinitas. He loved traveling and he and

Beth completed more than twenty trips on cruise-ships, visited countries throughout the world, and still

had enough time to celebrate life and holidays with the family.

Griff was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Beth Thomas (Cox) and his brothers James Thomas,

D. Roland Thomas, and Jack Lawson. He is survived by his brother David Lawson, his sisters Lita Jessup

(Lawson), and Mary/Bunny Roberts (Lawson), his son Griffith R. Thomas (Susan) and daughter Cyndi J.

Sahanas (Frank); his grandchildren Jennifer Murphy, Scott Murphy, Melissa Adams (Michael Jared),

Stacy Thomas-McBride (Tom), and Korrie Sahanas; and his great grandchild Brooklynn Adams. A

graveside service and military tribute will be held at Montecito Memorial Park and Mortuary, 3520 E.

Washington St., Colton, CA on Monday, December 2, 2019 at 10:30 A.M.