Kevin Ray Griffith

Kevin Ray Griffith September 22, 1960 - August 17, 2011 Born in Taft Ca. to Burlin (Ray) and Nita Griffith. Kevin went to school and lived most of his life in Taft, Ca. In high school, he played football for Taft Union High and loved working on his 1969 Chevy Camaro. He graduated with the class of 1978. In 1981, he married and began his family. In December 1981 his first child, a daughter, LaChelle was born and then on his birthday, September 22, of 1986 his son Matthew was born. He worked in the oilfields for many years, running a backhoe, on both production and drilling wells, and driving truck until he became disabled from an oilfield accident in 1996. He divorced in 1993 and never re-married. In 1996 he moved from Taft to Bakersfield to be closer to his children. He had several health complications that were a result from his accident in the oilfields, that lingered for many years. One of Kevin's proudest moments was in 2005 when his daughter made him a grandpa for the first time, and then again in 2006. He had recently fulfilled a dream by buying his own house, where he lived with his 2 "best friends"; Roxy and Buster, until his death on August 17th. Just 10 days before Kevin's death, he proudly watched his son Matthew, as he married his sweetheart. Never had he looked more proud!! The most important things in life to Kevin, were his family, his children and his dogs, whom he loved more than anything. He is survived by children; LaChelle (Adam), and Matthew (Bonnie), grandsons; Adam Jr. and Aiden, parents; Burlin (Ray) Griffith and Nita Tawyea, sister, Pam Hennessy(Mike), neices Stephanie and Kimberly, grandmother Doris Smith and "best friends" Roxy and Buster. Services to be held Friday August 26th, at 2:00 pm at Mission Family Mortuary, 531 California Ave. Bakersfield California. www.bakersfield.com/obits