Our father, Charles Peter Griffin, Jr or “Pete,” sadly passed away Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at Cedar Court Senior Living Center in Adams, Minn., at the age of 72. Pete was born July 4, 1951, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Martha (Gardner) and Charles Griffin, Sr (Chuck).
In his youth, dad loved sports, especially baseball and basketball and was even a standout athlete in college, playing on the school’s championship basketball team. He continued to play amateur basketball with a team from Iowa City, the Airliner, after college for a while. Despite his relatively short stature for a basketball player, his intelligence and speed made him an excellent athlete. He was known for his charm, intelligence, love of playing devil’s advocate and fantastic storytelling abilities. Professionally, Pete made his living as a baker or chef working in various bakeries and restaurants throughout his life, even receiving some awards for his creations.
Dad had some personal struggles that kept him somewhat distant from his family off and on during the second half of his life. After his accident this past January, we were able to reconnect with him and are so thankful for the excellent care he received at the end of his life by both Mayo Clinic and Cedar Court. It was a relief to know he was being well cared for and nice to see those who visited him after his accident, showing that he had good community and friends in the second half of his life.
Pete is survived by his mother, Martha Griffin of Newton, Iowa; his siblings Lynn Nelson of Lake View, Iowa, Tom Griffin of Waverly, Iowa, and Sue Griffin of Omaha, Nebr.; his three children: Sarah Griffin of Louisville, Ky., Gus Griffin of DeWitt, Iowa, and Ruth Richmiller of O’Fallon, Mo.; as well as four grandchildren.
All obituary information has been taken from the funeral home, newspaper or other online resource.
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