Sam Griffin

Samuel Etheridge Griffin of Troy, died Nov. 4, 2020, at the age of 94. He lived a long and simple life, but enriched the lives of those he touched along the way.
Sam was born on Dec. 12, 1925, to Israel Presley and Eva Noreen (Etheridge) Griffin, in Troy.  The third of eight children, he attended Ebenezer and Troy schools and worked on the family farm, enjoying watching his father work the family mules.
Just two short months following his 18th birthday, Sam was drafted into the U.S. Marine Corps on Feb. 25, 1944. After receiving training at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in San Diego, Calif., he was certified “Weapons Qualification Rifle Marksman” and received a “Special Qualification Machine Gun Crewman” endorsement.
He was shipped out later that fall to join in World War II operations in the South Pacific. Sam participated in action against the enemy at Okinawa and Ryukyu Islands, was then stationed at Saipan, finishing up with occupation duty in Japan.
On July 17, 1946, he was issued an Honorable Discharge — Rank of Corporal, from Camp Lejeune, N.C. Sam was extremely honored to have served his country during World War II and was very proud to have been a United States Marine.
After returning home from the war, Sam continued to work on the family farm, as well as working for short stints at Cultra Sawmill in Troy and American Metals in Union City.  During this time, he met the love of his life, Margaret Jane Roy. On June 16, 1948, they married, and were able to enjoy 72 wonderful years together. Jane still survives.
In 1952, Sam and Jane moved to Garden City, Mich., so that he could accept a job with Ford Motor Company in Livonia, Mich. Together, they raised two daughters while in Michigan, Beverly Jane Griffin of Erin and Barbara Elizabeth Liskey (Ron) of Asbury, Iowa. They all survive. They also have one granddaughter, Marlaina Beth Liskey of Madison, Wisc., who also survives.
In 1983, Sam retired after 31 years at Ford Motor Company, where he spent the biggest part of his career as a “job setter.” He and Jane moved back to Troy and joined Troy United Methodist Church, which he loved. Sam had been happily retired for more than 37 years.
Other than his two daughters, son-in-law and granddaughter, Sam is also survived by one sister, Eva Lee Roy (Ed) of Wyandotte, Mich.; and one brother, Bobby Griffin (Bonnie) of Troy. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Sam was preceded in death by one sister, Elaine Griffin (age 5); and four brothers, Tom Griffin (Ruth), Ed Griffin (Evelyn), Bill Griffin (Dorothy) and Ray Griffin (Sue).
A Celebration of Life service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday at Troy United Methodist Church. The family earnestly requests that everyone wear a face mask and please refrain from touching.
Instead of flowers, Sam would hope that you will do an unexpected and unsolicited act of kindness for someone in his name, or make a memorial donation to Troy United Methodist Church.
White-Ranson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Published 11.5.20