Larry Don Griffin

Larry Don Griffin, age 66 of Newalla, OK. left this life on May 17, 2018 in Oklahoma City, OK. Larry Was born in Meeker, OK. on October 15, 1951 to Melvin F. and Mary LaDawn (Floyd) Griffin. Larry grew up in Meeker, graduating from Meeker High School in 1969. Larry enrolled in drafting classes upon the suggestion of his high school shop teacher. While in drafting school, he worked at the Split-T Restaurant in Oklahoma City. Upon completion, he went to work at the Oklahoma Department of Transportation at age 17, just before his 18th birthday the first of October, 1969. After being hired at ODOT, he became interested in computers and programming. He taught himself computer programming and also taught a class at Rose State College. The managers at ODOT saw his potential and that started him up the ladder to Branch Manager of the Current Planning Division. Some of the programs he wrote are still in use today at ODOT. Larry retired after 30 years in 1999 at the age of 48. During his teenage years, Larry learned to play the bass guitar. He and several of his friends formed a band and called themselves “The Taxmen”. Larry continued his interest in music teaching himself to play lead guitar, mandolin, banjo, and steel guitar. He could play any instrument that he could get his hands on, but his favorite was the steel guitar. In the early 1990’s he bought the Harrah Theater and produced music shows. He joined Steel Creek Country Band in 1995 and played steel guitar for them for 20 years. He was a Ham radio operator, he loved golfing, boating, fishing, and had his pilot’s license and would fly all over the state to play golf. Larry was a member of Mammoth Baptist Church and accepted Christ at the age of 14. He is survived by his wife Rita Griffin of the home, two daughters, Tuesday Sanders and Kathy Houston and her husband Kevin Houston, step-son Shane Crossley and his wife Denise Crossley, and step-daughter Michelle Lee-Hughes and her husband Gerald Hughes, one sister, Sherri Courtemanche and her husband Stephen Courtemanche, 9 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren and a special niece, Amanda Kay Bolf and special nephew, Jess Hayhurst and many other nieces and nephew and family and friends. Larry is preceded in death by his parents, one son William Randel "Randy" Griffin, two brothers, Melvin Leon "Sandy" Griffin and James William "Jim" Griffin, two sisters, Ginger Gail Gee and Terri May Griffin. Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M., Tuesday May 22, 2018 in Harrah, OK at Asa Smith/Parks Brothers Memorial Chapel, with interment to follow at New Hope Cemetery, Meeker, OK.