Max Vernon Griffin

Max Vernon Griffin passed away on December 10, 2025 at the age of 87. He was born in Dunn, NC to the late John and Lillie Griffin on February 27, 1938.
After high school, Max attended North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC then transferred to Gaston Technical College in Gastonia, NC where he graduated with an Electronics Technician degree and met his wife, Mary Elizabeth Large. After marriage, Max and Mary had three children - Karen, Mike, and Nancy.
He began his professional career at General Electric in Lynchburg, VA as an Electronics Technician and later a Technical Draftsman. During this time, he advanced his knowledge by studying for and passing a strenuous exam to earn his FCC radio license.
The family moved to Raleigh, NC in 1969 as Max recognized the opportunity the area offered for his young family - even at that time. He was employed as an Electronics Technician then a Substation Foreman at Carolina Power and Light Company, now Duke Energy.
Max and Mary bought property in Raleigh, NC where Max built the family home himself during evenings and weekends in just two years. He learned these extensive skills from his father as they built houses together while he was growing up.
Max and members of his family lived in this family home for 55 years, until he passed.
He was an avid vegetable and plant gardener. For many years he had an extensive garden where the family planted vegetables from seeds in the spring, then cultivated, harvested, and preserved the vegetables all summer/fall for the upcoming winter.
Completing these activities together bonded the family strongly. And it has served as forever knowledge that continues to live on.
After retirement, Max continued his gardening passion by taking a position at Buchanan's Nursery of Raleigh where he worked directly with the owner learning to grow and cultivate Japanese maple trees from seeds.
He applied this knowledge by planting maple seedlings throughout his property. Those seedlings thrived and grew into stunning mature trees - bursting in red color appropriately with the NC's changing seasons. They remain today as a tribute to Max's vision and work.
Max was extremely generous and kind to others. You could count on him to offer help to anyone to include food, home renovation, and auto repair assistance. He loved all of his neighbors and had many lifelong friends.
He tried to invent things to make life easier for others. It seemed he could fix anything. He truly loved and supported his family. He often said he would do anything for his kids.
Max valued education. Being raised during the end of the depression and the son of farmers in rural Harnett County NC, he was raised in poverty.
He understood that education was a steady pathway for the poor to make great strides to catch up to those born into wealth.
He always told his children, "No one can take your education from you". To further this mantra, he prioritized education for his children and set them up for success by paying for their college educations.
During Max's most senior years, he directly cared for his beloved wife Mary for many years as her health declined. Max and Mary were married for 66 years. They passed within a year of one another.
Max leaves behind daughter Karen Elizabeth Stallings (Cliff), son Michael Angelo Griffin (Loretta), and daughter Nancy Diana Schaeffer (Jay), as well as his grandchildren Reagan Alexander Stallings, Brandon Clifton Stallings, Timothy Darrell Penick and Brandi Elizabeth Wade.
Max's memorial service and celebration of life will take place in the spring of 2026. Specific details are forthcoming.