Vern Griffith
Vern Leon Griffith was born Sept. 27, 1941, to Harold and Isabelle (Scrimsher) Griffith in Spokane, Wash. He spent his early years in Twisp, Wash., where his father served as superintendent of schools. The family later moved to Yakima, where Harold became the superintendent for West Valley School District. Vern graduated from West Valley in 1959.
He attended Washington State University for three years, majoring in criminal justice. In December 1962, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in November 1965. The following year, Vern began his career with the Washington State Patrol. He rose to the rank of lieutenant and retired after 25 years in 1991.
On June 3, 1967, Vern married Janet Naylor. They had four children: Kristin, twins Scott and Jody, and Brooke. On Dec. 27, 1985, Vern married Marilee Stanford and embraced her three children, Hilary, Richard and Amanda. The couple had been together for 40 years at the time of his death.
Before retiring from the WSP, Vern and Marilee invested in an apple orchard at Stratford, Wash. They made their home there and, after 23 years of farming, he retired once more. In 2015, they moved to Spokane and, in 2023, to Rockwood at Whitworth. Vern enjoyed playing bridge, pinochle and his favorite — poker. He was a lifelong golfer and enjoyed woodworking wherever he lived.
Vern is survived by his wife, Marilee; his children Kristin (Kurt) Jensen, Scott (Angie) Griffith, Jody (Nick) Rayfield and Brooke Griffith; and his stepchildren Hilary (Gavin) Bell, Richard (Kim) Stanford and Amanda (Ryan) Flanery. He was a proud grandfather to Conrad (Megan) Bell, Parker Bell, Isabelle (Josh) Loberg, Griffin Bell, Emma Jensen, Sydney Griffith, Trent Hedges, Zachary Griffith, Harley Stanford, Hudson Stanford and Willa and Lennon Flanery. He is also survived by his sister, Karen Smith, and children Jennifer (Chuck) Stearns and family, Tamara (Andrea) Smith, and Steven Smith. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Services will be Sept. 27 at 2 p.m. at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 7307 N. Nevada, Spokane, Wash.
