Norman Carl Giffin (Seymour)'s Obituary
Norman Carl "Pops" Giffin, age 83 years, 9 months and 11 days, passed away Friday, September 21, 2018 in his home in Seymour, Missouri, with his loving family by his side. He was born on December 10, 1934 in Ava, Missouri to Elmer James and Irene Huffman Giffin. On June 28, 1958, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Lela Rae Hart in Springfield, Missouri, and to this union two children were born.
Norman is survived by his wife of 60 years, Lela, of the home; son Bruce Norman Giffin and wife Mary of Seymour; daughter Delana Giffin of Warsaw; 3 adopted children John Russell Giffin, Elizabeth Flanagan and husband Ronnie, Jennifer Harper and husband Joe, - all of the State of Texas; 14 grandchildren, Corry Giffin and wife Whitney, Ashlea Cox and husband Justin, Tyler Ball and wife Barbie, Cody Giffin and wife Siera, Lindsay Harder and husband Dean, Dakotah Jones and husband Ricky, Casey Giffin, Jacob Giffin, Karrisa Giffin, Raeni Flanagan, Carlea Harper, Chayleigh Harper and Callie Harper; 14 very special great-grandchildren; brother Marvin Giffin, sister Beverly Freeman and husband Calvin- all of Neosho, Missouri; several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, grandson Jordon Giffin, 3 brothers Noel, Ellis and Wayne Giffin; and 2 sisters Anna Jo Graves and Sharon Davis.
Norman was born in Ava and moved with his family to Washington State where they lived until his return to Ava in 1957, where he met Lela. In 1958, after one year in the Army, Norman and Lela were married and lived in Texas, where he was stationed while serving his country. In 1960 he started working for a natural gas company in Independence, Missouri and retired in 1992 after 32 dedicated years of service. In 1992, they returned to Ava, and moved to Seymour in 2006. He was a Christian and was Baptized in California at the age of 14. Norman and Lela attended the New Beginning Baptist Church near Seymour.
Norman loved working on his tractor, going to flea markets and working in his shop building flag stands with 100% of the proceeds going to disabled veterans, and many bird houses. But his favorite thing to do was spending time with his family while enjoying fish frys or pizza.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and a truly caring neighbor and friend. Norman never met a stranger and everyone knew him as "Pops." We celebrate his life and will always cherish great times we had together.
Norman fought through his illness with courage and faith and never lost hope, up until his new life began.
PERHAPS YOU SENT A LOVELY CARD, OR SAT UPON A CHAIR. PERHAPS YOU SENT US BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS. IF SO, WE SAW THEM THERE. PERHAPS YOU SPOKE THE KINDEST WORD THAT ANY FRIEND COULD SAY. PERHAPS YOU WERE NOT THERE AT ALL, JUST THOUGHT OF US THAT DAY. WHATEVER YOU DID TO CONSOLE OUR HEARTS, WE THANK YOU SO MUCH, WHATEVER YOUR PART.
THE FAMILY OF NORMAN GIFFIN
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