Garry Griffin

Garry Griffin, age 70, of Charles City, IA, died Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City, IA.

A Memorial Service will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at Hugeback – Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton.

Friends may greet the family from 4-6 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will take place at Crane Creek Cemetery at a later date.

Born on Aug. 10, 1952, in Charles City, Iowa, Garry was the second oldest of seven in the Griffin clan. He wed Lori Johnson of New Hampton in 1978, and they enjoyed 45 years of married life, having two children, Meghan and Tyler Griffin. His family further grew in 2018 with the addition of his daughter-in-law Ms. Tayler Tiedemann.

Garry’s life was rooted in Charles City, where he graduated from high school and started working for Smith’s Nursery as a teenager. Following his graduation, Garry served in the military, joining the army reserve in 1972 and transitioning to the Navy Seabees in 1973 until retiring in 1995. His time in the Navy allowed him to travel to new places and further his practical education. When not in active service, he continued to work with Smith’s Nursery growing and providing greenery in the form of various trees and shrubbery until his retirement from the company in the early 2000s. After a few years of self-employment doing lawn care, he had to transition to full retirement due to his declining health.

Garry’s interests were simple. He was a long-standing member of the Cedar Valley Engine Club, where he followed in his family’s footsteps working on the sawmill with his father, brothers, and friends every Labor Day weekend for several years and later working in a variety of other aspects of the festivities. Garry also enjoyed being outdoors in general, whether it was working, fishing or simply spending time in his yard with the animals. He always denied it, but could never hide his compassion for the four-legged, furry members of the family whether they be rabbits, dogs or the many cats that called their house home. He even tolerated the various ducks and geese that came along with Lori. Family card nights were something that he enjoyed- maybe not winning that often but spending time joking and catching up with all 3 of his kids. When not with family, he could almost always be found with a word search book in hand or sometimes a deck of cards for a quick game of Solitaire.

Garry was a man of varying temperaments, sometimes resulting in memorable actions. He never seemed to meet a stranger who he could not talk their ear off. And, if you knew him well, you knew when he was spinning a good yarn. His family and friends will forever remember him for these qualities that made him the unique person he was.

Garry is survived by his wife, Lori Griffin of Charles City; Daughter, Meghan Griffin of Charles City; Son, Tyler (Tayler) Griffin of Charles City; Siblings Gordon (Brenda) Griffin of Thomson, Georgia, Debra Auringer of Mason City, Kenneth (Lisa) Griffin of Rudd, Denise Griffin of Charles City, Danny Joe Griffin of Charles City, and Tammy (Daniel) Boggess of Chetek, Wisconsin; many loving Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Nieces/Nephews, and Great-Nieces/Nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lyle and Betty Griffin and nephew Travis Griffin.