Ford Lauren Griffith, Jr.

Ford Lauren Griffith, Jr, 97, passed away on March 2, 2025, at Georgetowne Place Assisted Living. Lauren was born on April 19, 1927, in Auburn, Indiana to Ford Lauren Griffith Sr and Anna Maude (Steele) Griffith. He graduated from Auburn High School where he played football and basketball. In 1945, he enlisted in the Navy and served 1.5 years until the end of WWII. One of his big regrets is that he turned down an opportunity to go to officer training at Annapolis. After returning from service, Lauren attended International Business College and obtained an associate’s degree in accounting. Being a 'people,' person, he decided he would enjoy sales more than accounting. He worked in sales at Warner Gear in Auburn and then moved to Fort Wayne and worked for Burroughs selling adding machines, calculators and other equipment. A few years later, he was transferred to Louisville and eventually pursued a position with Honeywell Information Systems. Lauren transferred to Evansville for two years and then came full circle, back to Ft. Wayne and was promoted to Branch Marketing Manager of Honeywell. At mid-life, Lauren decided to expand his education and obtained a bachelor’s degree in accounting from St. Francis College and a master’s degree in business administration, also from St. Francis. While obtaining his degrees, he was the Director of Development and Public Relations at St. Francis for eight years. Seeing his success in fundraising, Lauren started his own consulting business. He was highly successful in working on million-dollar matching campaigns for local universities and the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum in Auburn. In retirement, he served as secretary of the downtown Rotary Club. Lauren refereed high school football and basketball for twenty-five years. In addition to a successful career, Lauren had many interests. He was well-read, played golf up until the age of 94, fished for sheepshead and bonito in Florida, enjoyed swimming, attended plays and live music, took on remodeling projects in the family's homes, played in numerous bridge groups, belonged to dance clubs with his wife, Colleen and helped her with her antique business. The couple traveled domestically and abroad. They were 'snowbirds' and spent several winters in Naples, Florida at their condominium near the beach. A trip Lauren made in the last few years was as a participant on an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. accompanied by his son-in-law, Steve. Lauren's Catholic faith was strong, and he enjoyed ushering at St. Charles Borromeo Church. Charitable giving to both local and international not-for-profit organizations was important to him. He was a "Paul Harris Fellow" through The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. Lauren was an advocate for mental health issues. He was a founding Board member of The Carriage House Clubhouse on Lake Avenue. Clubhouse Executive Director, Andy Wilson calls Lauren his mentor and says that he spent time introducing Andy to the business community and taught him how to fundraise. Lauren married Colleen Chaney in 1951, and they were married for 63 years until Colleen's death in 2014. Lauren loved his family and always ensured they had a comfortable life. He was proud of his children and grandchildren. Lauren's 'love language' was his sense of humor. He reveled in telling a good joke and loved to gently tease his family. Lauren was preceded in death by his wife, Colleen (Chaney) Griffith, daughter, Kimberle (Griffith) Stafford, sister, Jane (Griffith) Ineman and parents, Ford Lauren Griffith Senior and Anna Maude (Steele) Griffith. Lauren is survived by daughter, Gayle Mann (Steve) son, Scott Griffith; grandchildren Cassandra Bisig (Ian), Jill Rowe (Clint), Nicole Bathalter (Adam); two great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Carolyn Griffith; and his companion of eight years, Jane Green. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at Hockemeyer and Miller Funeral Home, 6131 St Joe Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana and from 9:30 am to 10:30 am at St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 4916 Trier Road Fort Wayne on Thursday, March 13, 2025. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am, Thursday, March 13, 2025, at St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Fort Wayne. Inurnment will be at Catholic Cemetery, 3500 Lake Avenue, Fort Wayne, following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to Wellspring Interfaith Social Services, St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, or The University of St Francis.