James J. Griffiths

Monday, January 17, 2005

Nov. 29, 1919-Jan. 15, 2005

HAYES CENTER -- James J. Griffiths, 85, of Hayes Center, died Saturday (Jan. 15, 2005) at Great Plains Regional Medical Center of North Platte.

He was born Nov. 29, 1919, in Dickens to George and Gertrude Piper Griffiths.

He served in the U.S. Coast Guard.

On Feb. 16, 1943, he married Evelyn R. Palmer. They moved to the Rafter Two Ranch near Hayes Center in 1957.

He was a 50-year member of the American Legion, B.P.O. Elks in McCook and was a past board member of Hayes Center schools.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Evelyn, in 1997; five brothers, Wayne, Chester, Emery, Jack and Dale Griffiths; and a sister Mary Darabos; and a daughter-in-law, Judy Griffiths.

Survivors include two sons, Randy and Mark (Chris) Griffiths, both of Hayes Center; two daughters, Lana and husband, Keith Lapp of Hayes Center and Dixie and husband, Kent Eckhoff of North Platte; a brother, Robert and wife, Betty Griffiths of North Platte; sister-in-law, Cleo Griffiths of McPherson, Kan., a brother-in-law, Nick Darabos of Evansville, Ind., a sister-in-law, Freda and husband, Jim Tesar of North Platte; 10 grandchildren; two step grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren.

Services are Tuesday, 11 a.m., at the Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Hayes Center with the Rev. Fay Ann Blaylock officiating. Burial will be in the Hayes Center cemetery with graveside military honors.

Visitation will be until 8 p.m., today at Carpenter Memorial Chapel at North Platte and 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Tuesday at the church.

A memorial has been established in his memory.

Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.