Tulsa World: Funeral director Griffith, 49, dies

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Funeral director Griffith, 49, dies

CARRIED ON TRADITION
Mark Kevin Griffith: He became the owner ofMark Griffith Memorial Funeral Homes Inc. in1992, taking over the business from his father.He was in the third generation in his family inthe funeral business.

By Staff Reports
Published: 4/27/2008 2:33 AM
Last Modified: 4/28/2008 10:22 AM

Mark Kevin Griffith, a funeral home owner, died Saturday. He was 49.

Services are set for 2 p.m. Thursday at Trinity Baptist Church under the direction of Mark Griffith-Westwood.

Griffith was born Oct. 7, 1958, in Tulsa to Charlsie and Gene Griffith.

He graduated from Charles C. Mason High School in 1976 and received a degree in mortuary science from Central State College in Edmond in 1982.

Griffith's family said he got a start on his career during his childhood by traveling to funerals with his father, also a funeral director. The highlight of each trip was a steak dinner at the end, his sister, Pam Samples, said.

"He carried on the tradition with his sons," she said.

Griffith became the owner of Mark Griffith Memorial Funeral Homes Inc. in 1992, taking over from his father.

Gene Griffith said, "He took great pride in being a three-generation, family-owned funeral home."

Griffith was a past president of the Ford Model T Club of Tulsa. He owned two Model T's. A Griffith car has for years carried the grand marshals for Webster High School homecoming parades. He also was a lifetime member of the Professional Car Society, Akdar Shriners and Akdar Car Buffs.

Griffith was a past master of the Red Fork Brookside Masonic Lodge No. 505 and a member of Red Fork Eastern Star Chapter No. 394. He attended Trinity Baptist Church.

He was the past president of the Southwest Tulsa Chamber of Commerce, a board member of the Westside YMCA, a charter member of Townwest Sertoma Club and a member of the Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association.

He is survived by his parents, Charlsie and Gene Griffith; sons, Geoffrey, Michael and John Mark Griffith; daughter, Laura Griffith; sister, Pamela Samples; fiancee, Verona Felkner; and two grandchildren.

Memorial contributions can be made to The Gideons International, P.O. Box 9294, Tulsa OK 74157.

By Staff Reports

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