Vernon Ray Griffith, 93, of Lacey, WA, passed peacefully with family by his side into the presence of Jesus on Sunday evening, March 2, at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, WA. Born to William and Lilly Griffith on September 10, 1931, in Sullivan, MO, Vernon was the youngest of eight children. Always strong and independent, he fought a brave and lengthy battle against complications from strokes and dementia.

He was known as a generous and giving man. He found strength, hope, and comfort in the Spirit and love of Jesus. He looked forward to heaven and was well-loved by his family, friends, and Providence St. Peter Hospital staff.

In his early adult years, Vernon served in the US Army as a Medic, Private First Class in the 9th Infantry Regiment during the Korean War (1951-1953). He received honors and citations, including the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the ROK Presidential Unit Citation, and the United Nations Service Medal.

In 1957, he married Dixie Lee Weiss and was married for 56 years until she passed in 2013. He never remarried, but at 93, he often joked about needing “two 46s” to keep up with him. Vernon and Dixie had three children: Mark, Monica, and Connie. Vernon led evangelism and teaching ministries in the Assemblies of God church. He later attended Assemblies and Foursquare churches in Alaska and Washington State. He was known for his sacrificial giving, willingness to help others, Bible and book reading, and ongoing commitment to prayer.

As a carpenter by trade, Vernon built several homes in Missouri before moving to Alaska in the 1960s. Even though he had only a basic grade school education, he attended community college to learn architectural drafting and design and ultimately built 13 homes in Missouri, Alaska, and Washington State. In the 1970s, he applied his contracting skills to help build the 800-mile Alyeska Pipeline from Prudhoe Bay south to the Valdez Marine Terminal. He later became the business agent for the Alaska Cement Mason’s Union until his retirement in 2002.

Vernon loved the beauty and adventure of the wild Alaskan frontier. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, somehow impervious to Alaskan mosquitos. He once loaded his Duckworth jetboat with 800 gallons of fuel and embarked on a hunting and fishing expedition up and down the Yukon River. He loved dip-netting red salmon from the Copper River, catching silvers in Sitka, midnight combat fishing on the Talkeetna River, and halibut fishing in Homer. His freezer, family, and friends were always well stocked with fresh and smoked Alaskan fish, meat, and sausage.

Even more than the outdoors, he deeply loved his grandchildren, John LeMar and Katie, Laura, Tim, and Sam Rose. In 2002, he and Dixie moved to Washington State to be closer to their grandkids. He built his last home in Olympia and lived there until 2021. Even at 90, he loved working on his property, driving and tinkering with his tractor, clearing trees, and cutting firewood with an axe. He cared for his yard, climbed his roof to install a wood stove chimney, maintained his equipment, worked in his shop, and fed visiting wildlife. He continued to drive until he was 92, though he often complained about “those old women at Safeway who kept hitting and putting dents in the car.”

Vernon is survived by Clint LeMar, son-in-law; John LeMar, grandson; Robert Rose, son-in-law; Laura Rose, granddaughter; Timothy Rose, grandson; Samuel Rose, grandson; Gary Griffith, nephew; Terry Griffith, nephew; James Charboneau, nephew; and Linda Griffith, niece.

Vernon is preceded in death by his wife, Dixie Lee Griffith; son, Mark Griffith; daughter, Monica LeMar; and daughter, Connie Rose. Vernon was also the last of his siblings and is predeceased by his brothers Howard, Amos, Walter, Hillard (twin), and Willard (twin), as well as sisters Alice, Myrtle, and Mini. Vernon had 29 nieces and nephews, all generally located around Sullivan, MO.

A Veteran’s Administration Memorial Service will be held on Good Friday, April 18, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. PDT at the VA Tahoma National Cemetery, 18600 SE 240th Street, Kent, WA 98042.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations for Bible distribution can be made to the following organizations in Vernon’s memory:

Crossway: https://www.crossway.org/donate/global-ministry-fund/

United Bible Society: https://unitedbiblesocieties.org/

His family greatly misses Vernon. But even more, we are glad he’s now free from sin, sickness, suffering, and sorrow and experiencing the indescribable joy of Jesus and the beauty of heaven. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (Ps. 23:6) Amen!