Roger Lee Griffith

GRIFFITH, Roger Lee - Age 64, of Linden, ended his valiant fight with cancer November 2, 2005. He was born March 10, 1941 in Petoskey, MI, the son of Albert and Ellen Griffith. He graduated from East Lansing High School in 1959, during this time he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout through the Boy Scouts of America. He remained active throughout his life in the scouting movement. He received his B.A. and M.A. from Michigan State University. As a fervent Spartan, Roger served on the Genesee County M.S.U. Alumni Board and was president of that club for 3 terms. He received the M.S.U. Distinguished Alumni Award in 2005. He was employed as a special education teacher for 32 years with the Grand Blanc Community Schools. In addition to his classroom work, he was varsity wrestling coach for 12 years, assistant freshman football and track coach. He was inducted into the Grand Blanc Sports Hall of Fame in 2004. Roger spent many years involved in the Special Olympics program, both at the local and state levels. He was Assistant and Area Director of Area XIII and served on the state Special Olympics Board for 8 years. In 1996 he was elected to the Michigan Special Olympic Hall of Fame. As a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Fenton, he was an elder on the Session and was active in the choral program. As an active community member, Roger served in many roles involving boards, clubs, school, M.S.U., and the church. He received the Fenton Outstanding Citizen award in 1988. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Bonnie; daughter Melissa (David) Ketterman of Palm Bay, FL; grandsons Andrew and Jacob May; sister Mary Ellen  (Ken) Linton; aunt Marion Berg; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Dennis (Sally) Lane; step mother-in-law Beatrice Lane; many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Roger was preceded in death by his son Graig David. A Celebration of Life will be held 1:30 PM Saturday, November 5, 2005 at the First Presbyterian Church of Fenton, 503 S. Leroy St., Fenton, Pastor Dale Swihart officiating. Visitation with family and friends will be 1-8 PM Friday at Sharp Funeral Homes, Fenton Chapel, 1000 Silver Lake Rd., Fenton. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that memorial gifts be given to the Sacred Music Fund of the First Presbyterian Church or to Area XIII Special Olympics. Envelopes will be available at the church and the funeral home. Friends may post a tribute or send condolence messages at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.