Gordon Vern Griffin

Gordon was born on September 12, 1926 to Ebba (Johnson) and Irving Griffin at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Red Bluff. He began his life in the farm community of Bend, just north of Red Bluff, but with the onset of the Depression, his family began herding sheep. They wintered on a farm west of Red Bluff and spent summers moving the herd throughout the Open Range land in the mountains west of Paskenta.

Gordon attended Red Bank School and Red Bluff Union High, graduating in 1944. As a child he displayed his mechanical abilities, by tearing things apart and repairing them. In high school, auto mechanics was his favorite subject. He was hired by John M. Moore Garage (later Povey Chevrolet) as a shop boy at the age of 14 and later became a mechanic. He continued his automotive education through the General Motors Technician School and became a Master Technician for Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, and Cadillac. His mechanical abilities were well known by the GM training staff, who would consult him regarding solutions to mechanical difficulties with new products. He retired in 1989 after 45 years of service.

After retirement, Gordon and Audrey toured the United States in their motor home. Later, they purchased a summer cabin in Mineral, where they enjoyed jeep drives, hiking, fishing, and wildlife. Gordon also became an expert in antique slot machines, juke boxes, and gaming devices, restoring and repairing several machines for local residents.

Gordon served in World War II and was a lifetime member of the American Legion. He was also a member of the Tehama County Historical Society.

Gordon will be remembered by his family and friends as a generous, caring, thoughtful, loving husband, brother, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. He is survived by his wife Audrey, brother John (Shirley), children Diann (Jules), Alan (Debra, grandchildren Johanna and Joseph and 2 nieces.

Interment will be private, in the family plot at Oak Hill Cemetery. Friends are welcome to join the Family at Mill Creek Resort at 2 PM on June 24th for a Life Celebration.

In lieu of flowers the family has established the Gordon Griffin Memorial Scholarship Fund at Wells Fargo Bank, PO Box 1149, Red Bluff, CA 96080, account # 2172101780.