Rev. Tom H. Griffin went to be with his Savior on March 13, 2017, after a long illness.
Tom was born June 7, 1933, in Hubert, Okla., to William and Dovie Griffin.
When he was 14 years old, the family moved to Colorado. There, Tom started his ministry with the Assemblies of God and was ordained in May of 1957. On June 7, 1953, he married Hazel M. Breckenridge and later had a daughter, Sheryl Marie. Tom was a pastor in Colorado until 1964.
In 1964, Tom moved his family to Arkansas and was pastor for several churches. While in Arkansas, Tom became a youth representative for the Assembly of God’s youth department. In 1969, Tom and his family moved to Wyoming so he could be a supply pastor on the Wind River Reservation. He liked Wyoming, so in 1970, he was voted in as pastor in Green River. In the several years he was there, he built the church building, which is still in use today. Tom also served as a sectional and district presbyter in Wyoming. In 1979, Tom moved to Hulett, Wyo., where he became very active with the youth camp in the capacity of counselor, horse wrangler and carpenter. In 1980, Tom and his family moved to Jewett, Texas.
Tom still loved Wyoming so he moved back to Wyoming to pastor in Casper in 1983. Later, Tom went back to the Wind River Reservation as a full-time home missionary to the Native Americans. Hazel passed away while they were living on the Wind River Reservation in Ethete, Wyo.
On Dec. 4, 1987, Tom married a young lady named Bonita M. Kipp. During their 29 years together, Tom was pastor of several more Native American churches in Minnesota, Arizona and Idaho. When they were living in Fort Hall, Idaho, Tom and Bonita adopted two boys – Robert and Earl. Yet Tom’s heart still longed for Wyoming and eventually, the family moved back to the state. Tom pastured a couple more churches in Wyoming until his retirement. Tom remained active in the church until his death.
When not involved in church activities, Tom enjoyed playing his guitars – bass and electric. He would play on Saturday nights at the nursing home with the rest of a musical group until he was unable to play due to health. Tom also loved singing and teaching his sons to train horses. Tom was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, his first wife Hazel, and a grandson.
Tom is survived by his second wife Bonita Marie, his daughter Sheryl M. (Robert) Finely, his two sons Robert (Lisa) Griffin and Earl (Raylene) Griffin, three brothers, a sister, six grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, as well as nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at the Wilderness Bible Church on May 27, 2017, at 10 a.m. with interment at the Boulder Cemetery.
Condolences can be sent to P.O. Box 2225, Pinedale, WY 92841.
