Charles Edward Griffin, 88, of Lake Charles passed away Wednesday, August 1, 2018. He was born in Baton Rouge and has resided in the Lake Charles area for over 75 years. Charles was a United States Air Force Veteran proudly serving his country in the Korean Conflict. He graduated from LSU with a BS in accounting and was vice president of Lakeside National Bank for 15 years. In 1975 he and his wife opened Patio Gardens Nursery in Sulphur, which they operated for 24 years. Known as “Charlie the Gardener,” he shared gardening tips with Southwest Louisiana on KPLC TV for many years. It was often said, “He had a green thumb all the way up to his elbow”. Charles was an active member of First Baptist Church of Lake Charles serving as a Deacon and Sunday school teacher. Gideons International is a program that was very dear to Charles, he worked tirelessly on Gideon’s behalf speaking with church congregations, raising funds and delivering Bibles.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 66 years, Letha Leach Griffin; son, Michael Gordon Griffin of Pasadena, CA; daughter, Rebecca Griffin Christensen and her husband, Ted, of Houston, TX; sister, Carolyn Griffin Dowdy; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gordon and Lola Griffin; and brother, Dr. Oscar Ray Griffin.
His Funeral Service will be held at 2pm, Saturday, August 4, 2018 in Hixson Funeral Home of Lake Charles. Burial will follow in Prien Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 10am – 2pm Saturday in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Gideons International, P.O. Box 5942, Lake Charles, LA 70606. Words of comfort and memories may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.
