Charles Griffing Sr.

GIFFING, Charles Ray Sr. Passed away September 22, 2010. Charles was born in Sprague, Washington to Fred and Grace Giffing on July 7th 1929. He married his true love Darlene Wheeler on June 11th 1955. She preceded him in death three years ago. He has patiently waited to join her in paradise. Charles was also preceded in death by his parents and two of his sisters, Hazel Dietz and Gladys Nelson. Charles is survived by his brother Bob Giffing and wife JoAnn, his sister Bernice Donofrio, his children Charlene Coy, Mary Bartels and husband Bill, Charlie Giffing, his grandchildren Cassandra (Coy) Davey and husband Mike, Will Bartels, Krystal (Bartels) Mahon and husband Josh, Ashley Giffing, Mary (Giffing) Jenkins and husband Marcus, his great grandson Austin Davey and numerous nieces and nephews. Charles was known to his grandchildren as Baker Pa, PaPa and Great PaPa. He truly loved being surrounded by them. Charles moved to Four Lakes WA as a child and graduated from Cheney High School. He served in the Army during the Korean conflict and came home to go to college and graduated from Spokane Community College. He became a professional baker and member of the local union number 74 working for Holsum Bakery and Snyder's Bread for 26 years, retiring in 1994. He was known for his tremendous big heart, loud bark but no bite! If Charles ever found a family who was hungry he found a way to help provide food for them. He baked cinnamon rolls, dinner rolls, wedding cakes and fruit cakes that became famous in the eastern Washington area. There are still people today who ask if he is making the fruitcakes. He loved to garden, go to yard sales and had one of the biggest cookie jar collections around. He will be truly missed by friends and family alike. No memorial is planned. A donation to Hospice of Spokane, 121 S. Arthur P.O. Box 2215 Spokane WA 99210 is preferred in lieu of flowers. SPOKANE CREMATION AND BURIAL SERVICE, Spokane, WA