Howard Emerson Griffin

Howard Emerson Griffin, 98
CRESTWOOD
Howard Emerson Griffin, age 98, of Crestwood, Ky., died Sept. 30, 2025, in his own home. Funeral and Masonic Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Oct. 4, with interment following at Floydsburg Cemetery of Crestwood, Ky. Visitation will be Oct. 3 from 4-6 p.m. and Oct. 4 from 9-10 a.m. at Stoess Funeral Home in Crestwood.
Howard was born Jan. 13,1927, to Lois and W.D. Griffin in Vernon, Ala. He left high school and his childhood home to join the service.
Soon after the war, in 1948, he married Lillian Buickerood of Tottenville, N.Y.
After the war, he returned home and started an automotive business in Fayette Ala. He then was in the Army, had a long and distinguished military career which ended after his tour of duty in Vietnam in 1971. After some moving with military assignments, they moved to Valley Station, Ky. to be near Fort Knox and raise their children.
He had a second career with Brandt Inc, repairing money-counting machinery across Ky., before his final retirement in 1991.
They moved to Oldham County in 1978, and stayed on their little farm until his death. Lillian preceded him in death in 2014. He then met the joy of his last 11 years, Jan Jasper of Oldham County. Jan cared for him and loved him dearly in his waning years. He died in his own home the morning of Sept. 30, 2025.
Howard is survived by his children, Wayne (Deborah) of Gulf Shores, Ala.; Gary (Stephanie Midkiff) of Eugene, Ore.; and Lori Byron (Robert Byron) of Red Lodge, Mont. They have 3 granddaughters, Rebecca Bell (Loxley, Ala.), Robin Byron (Cleveland, Ohio) and Elizabeth Byron (Fort Collins, Colo.).
Howard joined the Scottish Rite in 1960 and was active in Shrine for many years. He was an active member of the American Legion.
Howard loved fishing, eating his catch and frying fish for others in the community. He always had a large garden; fresh tomatoes and corn were annual highlights. He could build and fix (and jury-rig) almost anything from cars to carriages, build furniture, rebuild homes, wire and plumb and lay bricks and pour concrete. He attended Crestwood Baptist and DeHaven Baptist Churches. He honored the veteran cemeteries, especially Valley of Rest, and presented in schools and at local events to ensure that the price for freedom is not forgotten. He contributed several memorials to the Veteran's Memorial Park of Kentucky in Lagrange, Ky.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Veteran's Memorial Park of Kentucky, vmpky.org. Any plants or flowers received will be donated to local institutions. The family and Jan wish to extend our sincere thanks to Hosparus, and Baptist East Hospital.