John Griffey

John is survived by his wife, Jan Griffey of Lakewood, CO; daughters Christi Cook (Billy) of Fort Lupton, CO and Cathy Gunn (Dann) of Lakewood, CO; and son Mitch Griffey of Lakewood, CO; nine grandchildren: Jeremy Gunn, Dannielle Engler (Ben), Jess Starks (Garrett), Clint Cook (Rachael), Candace Arellano (Derek), Caitlyn Cook, Christopher Griffey (Ana), Destini Griffey, Dustin Griffey; and twelve great-grandchildren: Aryas, Anessa and Alianna Griffey; Brantley, Paislee, Hadlee, Kodee and Laynee Starks; Brooke Gunn; Dante Arellano; Rylee Engler; and Baby Boy Cook due December 8th. He is predeceased by his sibling Shirley Fitch, grandson Adam Cook, and great-granddaughter Ayliah Griffey.

John was born March 23, 1938 at the home of his paternal grandmother in West Denver. His parents were John Henry and Marion Lucille (Tamburello) Griffey. He had one sister, Shirley Ann. He attended Presentation Grade School and St. Joseph High School in Denver, graduating in 1956. He played football, boxed, and was in the Naval Reserves. His first job was as a soda jerk at Kelly Drug Store in high school. He served in the USS Navy from 1956-1962. He was stationed on the USS Polk County LST. The ship was on its way to Japan in 1958 when he was called home due to the death of his father; he remained in the reserves while taking care of his mother and was honorably discharged.

John was the patriarch of the Tamburello family, as he was the oldest living cousin. Sonny and Jan hosted many barbeques and parties that the cousins attribute to bringing the family together.

John married the love of his life, Janice Lee Brantley on September 10, 1960 at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Denver. They were married for sixty-three years. John and Jan are charter members of St. Jude Catholic Church. John was blessed by a wonderful relationship with his in-laws, Bill and Frances Brantley. They built their home next door to Bill and Fran on the corner of Belmar and Garrison Street in Lakewood. In June 1961 they welcomed Christina Lynn, then Catherine Lynn in 1962, and Mitchell Todd in 1965. The kids grew up with horseback (and then go-cart) riding in the arena, weekend camping and fishing trips to Steamboat, and vacations to the A-frame cabin on East Elk Creek in Newcastle.

John was an entrepreneur and driving force in the fire protection industry. He began his career working for Stearns-Rogers as a welder and steam fitter. He was then employed at ITT Grinnell for twenty-one years. He worked his way up from the bottom in the warehouse to warehouse foreman and was promoted to sales at a young age. In 1973, he opened his own business, Grif-Fab Corporation, specializing in the pre-fabrication of automatic fire protection material and supplies. The company in Commerce City, Colorado started with twelve employees, shipping within a one-thousand-mile radius, to over eighty employees in twenty-five years, while adding two locations in Albuquerque, New Mexico and Kingman, Arizona, and shipping nationally. He retired in 1993. He was recently nominated for national recognition in the field by the National Fire Sprinkler Association.

His hobbies included woodworking/re-finishing, golfing, bowling, fishing, gambling, gardening (especially growing tomatoes), and collecting vintage cars-- he had a 1955 and 1957 T-Bird, among others, over the years, his favorite being his 1960 Corvette. He loved spaghetti-- Jan made him the special Tamburello recipe taught to her by Uncle Ray, and her pizzelles. His favorite cake was French vanilla with chocolate fudge frosting. He supported and attended all the events of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, including dance, cheerleading, football, softball, baseball, volleyball, lacrosse, rugby, strongman competitions, “muttin-bustin”, and even a rock concert! His great-grandchildren brought a twinkle to his eyes and a special smile to his face. They cherished his reading of “The Night Before Christmas” every year.

John was strong, hardworking, honest, and kind. He loved his family and friends with everything he had. He brought out the good in people and situations, touching many lives in his eighty-five years. John accomplished many bucket list items that many never achieve: starting his own business, bowling a perfect 300 game, golfing three hole-in-ones, catching a 424 pound blue marlin off the coast of Maui, flying in on a pontoon plane to fish Lake Charron in Canada with his son, traveling to Alaska for a month with his wife after retiring, and celebrating his 80th birthday with over 175 family members and friends. His was a life well-lived.

A rosary service for John will be held Tuesday, November 21, 2023 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Saint Jude Catholic Church, 9405 W Florida Ave, Lakewood, CO 80232. A funeral service will occur Wednesday, November 22, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Saint Jude Catholic Church, followed by a reception at St. Jude Community Center. A private military burial will be held at Fort Logan at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in John's memory may be made to Catholic Daughters Court Madonna of the Mountains (CDA #2035), c/o Janet Millsop, 2277 Gold Dust Trail, Littleton, Colorado 80129 US.

“Precious in the sight of God is the death of his saints,” Psalm 116:15.