Carroll "Red" Griggs

1934 - 2021

Carroll "Red" Griggs, age 87, a retired sportswriter, page makeup man, copy editor and columnist for the News-Dispatch, died on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021, at his home.

Red was born Aug. 1, 1934, in San Angelo, Texas, the son of John and Gladys (Thomasson) Griggs, who preceded him in death.

He was married Sept. 7, 1957, at St. Adalbert Church in Whiting, Indiana, to Mary Ann Ostrowski, who preceded him in death.

Surviving are a brother, Charles Griggs, of Austin, Texas; three children, Edward (Lynn Griffin) Griggs, Carolyn Griggs, and David (Amy) Griggs; and four grandchildren, Brandon, Zachary, Madeline, and Jonathan Griggs.

Red was a 1951 graduate of Lake View High School in San Angelo, Texas; a 1953 graduate of San Angelo Junior College, and a 1957 graduate of North Texas State College (now a university) in Denton, Texas. He served in the U.S. Army in 1954 and 1955.

He was a sports writer at Wichita Falls, Texas, in 1958, and sports editor of the Pampa Texas Daily News for 18 months thereafter.

Red and Mary moved to Michigan City in April 1960, when Red became the chief page makeup man for the News-Dispatch. He held that job until the summer of 1976. He then became a full-time sportswriter, following the retirement of his good friend, former sports editor Bill Redfield.

He held that job until 1989. Although he enjoyed covering the high-profile sports, such as boys' basketball and football at the Michigan City Public Schools, his greatest enjoyment came from covering sports often overlooked by other sportswriters and the general public. These included sports at the smaller city area schools, non-revenue high school sports, girls' sports and adult sports such as running, tennis and table tennis.

From 1979 until the late 1990's, he also coached both boys and girls track and cross country running, first at St. Stanislaus School and later at Queen of All Saints. He was a member of Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.

On Aug. 1, 1989, his 55th birthday, Red left the sports department and became a copy editor and columnist. He held those jobs until his retirement in January 2002. He was best known during that time for his annual "name that song" contests.

After retiring, he worked for several years as a part-time clerk at the Grand Beach, Michigan, golf course. He also served as a volunteer at St. Anthony Hospital (now Franciscan Health) and for Meals on Wheels.

Friends are invited to meet with the family on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021, from 9 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. at Queen of All Saints Church, 1725 E. Barker Ave., Michigan City, Indiana, 46360, with Father David Kime officiating. Burial will follow at St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Michigan City.

Memorial contributions may be donated to the Food for the Poor, 6401 Lyons Rd., Coconut Creek, FL, 33073; Foodfor thepoor.org, 954-427-2222.

To sign online guestbook or leave condolences, please visit www.Carlislefh.com, 219-874-4214.