Ray Griggs

Ray Griggs passed away quietly while in hospice care on Thursday, July 17, 2025 of natural causes. He was 97 years old. Ray was born in Peoria Illinois to parents Ernest and Mary May Griggs. Ray’s early life included working as a gandy dancer on the railroad and at a Hiram Walker whiskey distillery. Ray also worked at a paint store. It was a job that was memorable for him because it was there that he received a random call about a painter who had collapsed while working. It turned out to be his father, a house painter, who had suffered a heart attack and later died. At 17 Ray joined the Navy to fight in WWII. Because of his age he had to convince his mother to provide her consent. He was sent to Guam where he served until the end of the war. Upon returning home, Ray attended Bradley University where he attained his business degree. He met his wife Barbara at a YWCA dance. They quickly fell in love and were married. They moved to Wisconsin where Ray worked as an estimator for Whitman publishing. They had five children during their time there. While managing the demands of family and career, he found the time to serve as a commissioner in local government in the cause of civil rights. In pursuit of a better career opportunity in the printing industry, Ray moved the family to California. He finished his career as a printing plant manager at Crest Graphics. Ray enjoyed taking the family on camping trips and had a deep appreciation of nature. He was proud of attaining his green belt in karate and was physically active most of his life. Upon retiring he and Barbara moved to Sun City West Arizona where Ray took up leather working, making beautiful belts and bolo ties. He was most proud of serving as a volunteer for the Sheriff’s Department where he worked on both patrol and dispatch. The couple enjoyed traveling across the United States, Europe, and Nova Scotia. He was a faithful and loving husband who cared for his wife Barbara during her battle with Alzheimer’s. When she entered memory care, he visited her for hours daily till her passing in 2015. The following year Ray returned to California to be closer to his children. Ray’s son James and sister Lucille preceded him in death. He is survived by his sons Daniel and Stephen, daughters Theresa and Margaret, and grandchildren Kelli, Jessica, Erin, Sheree, Sarah and Kevin.

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Ray Griggs

October 20, 1927 - July 17, 2025