George Alfred Griffith

George was born on October 8th, 1939 in Los Angeles, California to Dolores and Arthur Griffith. He and his twin brother Robert and older sister Jean grew up in LA. There, George attended Dorsey High School, where he met his lifelong friends Pete Gardner, Gary Gray, Dave Coolidge, and Bruce Merda. George graduated from high school in 1958 and went to work as a machinist in the tool and die industry.

In 1961, George met and married Beverly Barrett and soon became father to Kim Griffith (1962) and Doug Griffith (1965). While the 60s and 70s were devoted to building his thriving business, Tru-Tech Mold, and taking care of his young family, there was still plenty of time for fun. George enjoyed camping in the mountains, fishing for trout, hunting for quail, and playing poker on a Saturday night with his high school buddies. He taught Kim how to play pool and Doug how to ride an ATV. He designed clever halloween costumes and carved winning pinewood derby cars. He and Bev often took trips to Las Vegas, where they saw all the top performers of the day. He was a great businessman, a fun friend, and an engaged father.

In the 80s and 90s, George developed Griffith Business Park and eventually moved to Silver Lakes in Helendale, California with his then wife K.C. Carder. During this time, he became an avid golfer; he watched golf, played golf, and competed in golf tournaments. He also took up deep sea fishing and once caught a 135 pound marlin off the coast of Cabo San Lucas. He really enjoyed his Mexico and Hawaii trips and never missed an opportunity to dance at the clubhouse. He and K.C. were fun and active grandparents. They liked to spend time with Emily, Sarah, and Daniel– playing games, doing puzzles, going on boat rides, and fishing off the dock. I’m sure the grandchildren will never forget playing hooky one October and heading to Florida with Grandpa George and Grandma K. C. to spend a week at Disney World!

George’s fun adventures and growing business endeavors continued in the 2000’s. During those years, he took many trips to Virginia to visit his daughter Kim and enjoy the company of his granddaughters Emily and Sarah. He even flew out to help the family move from Virginia to California, making stops at national parks and tourist traps along the way as they crossed the country together. He dabbled in art, collecting pieces and selling them at Christie's auction house. In 2015, George married Joan Berry. He and Joan cooked and danced together, cruised the seas, and eventually got a little place in Palm Desert, where they enjoyed wine and sun and golf at their treasured winter home, the Villa.

George spent his last few years at The Hacienda, just 15 minutes from Kim and her family, where he continued to make friends and charm the ladies. The amazing caretakers there made him feel happy, loved, and special. George’s family will be forever grateful to them for truly appreciating his sweet and playful nature.

George loved high-quality shoes and sharp-looking clothes. He loved good scotch, bold wine, juicy hamburgers, and chocolate ice cream. He loved flirting with the ladies and entertaining everyone with borderline inappropriate jokes. He loved his flashy sports cars. He loved being on the water and being on the golf course. He loved his friends, his family, and his dog Shadow. With a twinkle in his eye and a dance in his step, he himself was loved as well, and he will be missed by all who knew him.

Left to honor and remember George Griffith are his twin brother, Robert Griffith, along with his children and extended family members; his sister Jean Vogel, along with her children and extended family members; his daughter, Kimberly Frazier, along with her husband Michael Frazier; his son, Doug Griffith; and his two grandchildren, Emily Frazier and Sarah Frazier. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Joan Berry, with whom he will rest in peace.