Fred Griffiths

Thomas Frederick Griffiths was born April 18, 1928 in Treasureton, Idaho to Frederick Griffiths and Alice Albertie Griffeth. He was the youngest of 12 siblings. He passed away Sunday night July 12, 2020.  He grew up on a farm in Idaho and joined the Merchant Marines when he was 17. He married Shirley Darlene Brough February 26, 1948 (deceased) and was married for 45 years. They had four children Fred Darlynn, Patricia Ann (deceased), Debra Jean, and Cheri Lee.

He was very active in Scouting. He was a Scoutmaster and attended the National Jamboree. He earned the Silver Beehive, and the Silver Beaver.

Fred employed at Union Pacific Railroad as a switchman and did maintenance for Bonded Realty Company doing house repairs. He was a handyman to many family and friends and manager for Salt Lake Macaroni and Noodle Co.(church welfare project). When working for them, they moved to a new location and building. He went to Seattle to learn to operate, disassemble, and reassemble the equipment for the factory. He was very proud of that accomplishment. He was also a Men’s Suit Salesman for ZCMI and Macy’s, Meetinghouse Custodian, and worked for the Forest Service in Fillmore.

Dad was a hunter, fisherman, traveler. He was a bishop in two different wards.

He had many hobbies; he loved collecting geodes. He would cut and polish them and make jewelry and created art with them. He also crafted homemade wooden canes. These hobbies he would share with many family and friends, and sometimes with people he had just met.

He had a love for music that extended to Organ, Banjo, and he had a large collection of Harmonica’s.

Fred married Joan Levorsen Smith on May 6, 1993. They were married 27 years. They traveled and liked to go out to eat specifically the last few years to Chuck-O-Rama and Sizzler and made many friends while going there.

He was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend to all he met.

Survived by wife Joan; children Fred Darlynn (Glenna) Griffiths, Jeff Davies (son-in-law), Debbie (Scott) DeNovellis, Cheri (David) Erickson; 25 grandchildren; and 45 great-grandchildren with one he’ll get to send down from heaven. 

A viewing will be held Friday, July 17, 2020 from 11:00 am – 12:30 pm at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road. Masks must be worn at the viewing. Graveside services will follow at 1:00 p.m. at Valley View Memorial Park, 4400 West 4100 South. If you plan to attend, please bring a chair.

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