Marvin D. Griffith (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Marvin Duaine Griffith, son of Marvin Leslie and Olinda Mueller Griffith, was born June 8, 1935, in Mexico, Missouri. He departed this life Thursday, March 22, 2018, in Mercy Hospital, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of eighty-two years, nine months, and fourteen days.
On December 1, 1956, he was united in marriage to Marilyn Sue Thompson, and to this union three daughters and one son were born.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Pat Brown, and Doris Bates.
Marvin is survived by his loving wife of sixty-one years, Sue, of the home; a son, Greg Griffith, and his wife, Terri, of Rogersville, Missouri; three daughters, Lisa Cobb, and her husband, Tony, of Springfield, Tennessee, Valerie Howe, and her husband, Kenneth, of Lebanon, Missouri, and Suzanne Luallin, and her husband, Mark, of Conway, Missouri; twenty grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; a brother, Donald Griffith, of Columbia, Missouri; two sisters, Nancy Roe, and her husband, John, and JoAnn Bishop, and her husband, Don, all of Mexico, Missouri; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends.
He was born and raised in Mexico, Missouri and graduated from Mexico High School. His first job as a boy was setting pins in a bowling alley and selling Grit newspapers. This set the stage for his entrepreneurial spirit. After moving to Lebanon, Missouri in 1955, he worked opening the IGA Store with the Torrence family. He then met Sue and they were soon married. After living in Eldon and working in the Fresh Dress Poultry business, they moved to Lebanon and operated Dream Village Motel for a number of years. Marvin and Sue then began lovingly raising their family. For several years Marvin worked in the Motel TV and Osage Leasing Companies. He became an entrepreneur in many arenas and eventually opened a chain of convenience stores under the name of Pony Express Markets, which he operated for many years.
Marvin made his profession of faith in Christ and was a longtime active member of First Baptist Church. He was very involved in the Mission Ministry and had taken mission trips to China, Brazil, Florida, and Louisiana, as well as several other places. He also greatly enjoyed his Senior Adult Sunday School Class.
He enjoyed riding his motorcycle and particularly liked going on road trips with his friends. He appreciated the special things in life and had owned several classic cars, a stagecoach and surrey at different times. He was an auctioneer, and was a man of many words, never hesitating to share his opinions. He enjoyed playing golf, and loved bargaining and trading. He was a generous person who gave away a number of bicycles to children throughout the years. He enjoyed friends of all ages, made his family the center of his life and loved talking about his children’s and grandchildren’s accomplishments.
Marvin was a unique, one of a kind man, with a kind heart, who loved to tell stories and jokes. Life was always interesting with Marvin around. If he dreamed it, he believed that he could achieve it, and usually did! He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and his accomplishments and know that he will never be forgotten, but will be greatly missed.
Memorial contributions to Ethnos360, St. Judes Children's Hospital, or Macedonia Mission Ministries, may be left at the funeral home or at the church the day of the service.
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