Norman "Mike" Michel Griffin

Michel was born in Ashland, Oregon on August 8th,1951. He was adopted and raised by his mother, Margaret Elizabeth Griffin in Ashland and Grants Pass, Oregon. He is an only child and spent many days during his younger years playing cowboys and indians. His prize possession as a young boy was his “cowboy hat.” He and the neighborhood boys could be found playing baseball or climbing trees near his home. These times spurred his love for being outdoors.

He attended Grants Pass High School and that is where he first met his wife, Lucille. They even went to senior prom together, although Lucille was his best friend’s date (not his). He and Lucille formed a friendship that eventually brought them to marriage. However, prior to marriage, Mike enlisted in the United States Army. He served during the Vietnam War from 1971 through 1973, but did not see direct combat. After his time in the Army, he and Lucille reconnected and became very close. They wed on October 31st, 1974. After getting married they attended Southern Oregon State College and Michel earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater. He then went to work for the United States Forest Service and worked in many forest districts in the Rogue Valley. He loved his work and especially enjoyed working with the Job Council youth. He told many stories of the young people giving him a hard time about being an old man as they raced past him on the trail. He would always beat them up the mountain and grin fondly at the sight of distraught kids that were just beaten by the old man. Mike lived to share his love for the forest with anyone he could. After retirement, he and his wife participated in several activities; TOPS, swimming classes at the YMCA, and RASCALS. They also provided in-home care for adult developmentally delayed women. On a summer evening you would find them at the concerts in the park enjoying the music. Music was a passion for Mike.

He is survived by his wife Lucille (Fox) Griffin, his two children Angela J. (Griffin) Andrews and her husband Robert Andrews of Medford, Oregon and James R. Griffin and his wife Staci Griffin of Grants Pass, Oregon. He was always proud of his children and enjoyed spending time with them any time they could. He is also survived by 7 grandchildren and one great-grandchild on the way. His real love was for the grandchildren and his eyes would light up as he talked about them. He was so proud of each one!

Norman Michel Griffin will be remembered on Monday December 13th, 2021 at Chapel of the Valley Funeral Home in Grants Pass, Oregon. The service is scheduled for 1:00 pm followed by interment at the Eagle Point National Cemetery in Eagle Point, Oregon at 3:00 pm. All are invited to join in celebrating his life and encouraging one another in his absence.

Norman Michel Griffin was a man of few words with so much to say!