GARY LEE GRIFFITH, 61, a Lyman community resident and businessman passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday April 24, 2002 at Skagit Valley Hospital following a brief battle with cancer.
Gary was born on June 10, 1940 in Bellingham, WA the son of Marvin and Irene Stiglitz Griffith. He was raised by his maternal grandparents since the age of 2 after the tragic loss of his parents. He was raised and attended school in Bellingham, graduating from Bellingham High School with the class of 1958. Gary has worked in the restaurant and bar industry all of his life. He worked as a bartender at Moose Hall and the Meat Hook Bar in Bellingham for many years. Gary was united in marriage to Karen Reed in Lake Tahoe, Nevada on November 26, 1975. In 1980 they purchased the Lyman Tavern, commuting each day from Bellingham until moving to Lyman in 1986. He just recently was elected to serve as a town councilman. Gary also served as a military policeman in the U.S. Army National Guard and Reserves for several years.
He was an avid fisherman and hunter and a longtime member of the National Rifle Assoc. He was also a member of the American Legion in Sedro-Woolley and the Eagles Club in Burlington.
Gary is survived by his wife Karen at the family home in Lyman. Aunt & uncle, Herb & Nancy Stiglitz, aunt Freda Steffenauer and numerous cousins.
Memorial contributions to the town of Lyman are suggested, to help preserve the atmosphere of the town that Gary loved.
A potluck gathering and celebration of life will be held on Saturday May 4, 2002 at 1:00 PM at the Lyman Town Hall.
Cremation arrangements are under direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley. Share your thoughts and memories of Gary in the online memorial register at www.lemleychapel.com