Richard Griffith, Sr. obituary: Richard Griffith, Sr.'s Obituary, Dove Topeka

In Memory Of
Richard Leon Griffith, Sr.
1938 - 2020

Obituary photo of Richard Griffith, Sr., Dove-KS
Obituary photo of Richard Griffith, Sr., Dove-KS

In Memory Of
Richard Leon Griffith, Sr.
1938 - 2020

Richard Leon Griffith, Sr. 82, of Topeka, passed away on Sunday, November 22, 2020.

He was born March 3, 1938 in Virgil, Kansas, the son of James Alonzo Griffith and Opal Aleta (Megli) Griffith. He served in the United States Air Force and attended Washburn University.

Richard was employed by the Kansas Department of Corrections as a lieutenant. He was a member of Susanna Wesley United Methodist Church. He was an avid softball player and played on church teams, Co-Rec and the Topeka Mens' League.

Richard married Marilyn Sue Myers on July 23, 1956. They later divorced. Richard later married Martha Kaye Lynn on August 19, 1984, in Topeka, Kansas. She survives. Other survivors include children, Robin (Randy) Smith of Guthrie, Oklahoma; Richard L. Griffith, Jr. of Topeka; Doug Griffith (partner Kim Brown) of Clarksville, Tennessee; step-daughter Tamra Dennis (partner Ryan Hazlett) of Topeka; grandchildren, Dustin Smith (children Dean and Eva), Anthony Smith (wife Amy and children Connor (wife Samantha and children James), Noah, Sylas, and Archer); Shayna McAlexander (husband Curtis and children Estherlyn, Hammond and Judah); Devon Griffith (wife Amber and step-son Kaidyn); Ian Griffith; Glory Griffith (partner Noah Skern Thompson and son Maddox); and Amara McAlexander (husband Cody and children Elena and Ezra); Tyler DeLong; Jordan DeLong; siblings Leo George Griffith, Robert Griffith, and Mary Ann Thornton; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings Gerald Griffith, Edgar Elwood Griffith, Keith Dwayne Griffith, Ruby Marie Herman, Dorothy Louise Gutman, Hazel Aleta Herold; Sharon Kay Beeman and James Donald Griffith.

The funeral service will be private family only on Thursday, December 17, 2020 at 11 a.m. All are welcome online for the service's live stream on the Susanna Wesley UMC Facebook Page at: facebook.com/SWUMCTopeka

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Susanna Wesley United Methodist Church, 7433 SW 29th Street, Topeka, Kansas 66614.

To leave the family a special message online, please visit www.DoveTopeka.com.
Richard Leon Griffith, Sr. 82, of Topeka, passed away on Sunday, November 22, 2020.

He was born March 3, 1938 in Virgil, Kansas, the son of James Alonzo Griffith and Opal Aleta (Megli) Griffith. He served in the United States Air Force and attended Washburn University.

Richard was employed by the Kansas Department of Corrections as a lieutenant. He was a member of Susanna Wesley United Methodist Church. He was an avid softball player and played on church teams, Co-Rec and the Topeka Mens' League.

Richard married Marilyn Sue Myers on July 23, 1956. They later divorced. Richard later married Martha Kaye Lynn on August 19, 1984, in Topeka, Kansas. She survives. Other survivors include children, Robin (Randy) Smith of Guthrie, Oklahoma; Richard L. Griffith, Jr. of Topeka; Doug Griffith (partner Kim Brown) of Clarksville, Tennessee; step-daughter Tamra Dennis (partner Ryan Hazlett) of Topeka; grandchildren, Dustin Smith (children Dean and Eva), Anthony Smith (wife Amy and children Connor (wife Samantha and children James), Noah, Sylas, and Archer); Shayna McAlexander (husband Curtis and children Estherlyn, Hammond and Judah); Devon Griffith (wife Amber and step-son Kaidyn); Ian Griffith; Glory Griffith (partner Noah Skern Thompson and son Maddox); and Amara McAlexander (husband Cody and children Elena and Ezra); Tyler DeLong; Jordan DeLong; siblings Leo George Griffith, Robert Griffith, and Mary Ann Thornton; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings Gerald Griffith, Edgar Elwood Griffith, Keith Dwayne Griffith, Ruby Marie Herman, Dorothy Louise Gutman, Hazel Aleta Herold; Sharon Kay Beeman and James Donald Griffith.

The funeral service will be private family only on Thursday, December 17, 2020 at 11 a.m. All are welcome online for the service's live stream on the Susanna Wesley UMC Facebook Page at: facebook.com/SWUMCTopeka

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Susanna Wesley United Methodist Church, 7433 SW 29th Street, Topeka, Kansas 66614.

To leave the family a special message online, please visit www.DoveTopeka.com.

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