Vern Griffith

1941 - 2025

Vern Leon Griffith was born on September 27, 1941, to Harold and Isabelle (Scrimsher) Griffith, in Spokane, WA. He spent his early years in Twisp, WA, where his father served as Superintendent of schools. The family later moved to Yakima, where Harold became the Superintendent for West Valley School District. Vern graduated from West Valley in 1959.
He attended Washington State University for three years, majoring in Criminal Justice. In December 1962, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in November 1965. The following year, Vern began his career with the Washington State Patrol. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant and retired after 25 years in 1991.
On June 3, 1967, Vern married Janet Naylor. They had four children: Kristin; twins, Scott and Jody; and Brooke. On December 27, 1985, Vern married Marilee Stanford and embraced her three children: Hilary, Richard, and Amanda. The couple had been together for 40 years, at the time of his death.
Before retiring from the WSP, Vern and Marilee invested in an apple orchard at Stratford, WA. They made their home there and, after 23 years of farming, he retired once more. In 2015, they moved to Spokane and, in 2023, to Rockwood at Whitworth. Vern enjoyed playing bridge, pinochle, and his favorite--poker. He was a life-long golfer and enjoyed woodworking wherever he lived.
Vern is survived by his wife, Marilee; his children, Kristin (Kurt) Jensen, Scott (Angie) Griffith, Jody (Nick) Rayfield, Brooke Griffith; and his stepchildren, Hilary (Gavin) Bell, Richard (Kim) Stanford, and Amanda (Ryan) Flanery. He was a proud grandfather to Conrad (Megan) Bell, Parker Bell, Isabelle (Josh) Loberg, Griffin Bell, Emma Jensen, Sydney Griffith, Trent Hedges, Zachary Griffith, Harley Stanford, Hudson Stanford, Willa and Lennon Flanery; and sister, Karen Smith and children: Jennifer (Chuck) Stearns and family, Tamara (Andrea) Smith, and Steven Smith. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.