Steven Jon Griffin
August 22, 1956 - December 26, 2019
Steven Jon Griffin, 63, of Marysville went to meet his Savior on Thursday, December 26, 2019. He died at his Priest Point home. In September of 2017, he was diagnosed with glioblastoma (grade 4 brain cancer). Steve spent the next two years telling everyone he met about surviving a seizure while driving on I-5. Since that time family and friends have been very intentional about spending time and making memories together.
Steve was born in Seattle, son of Joe and Leona (VanCanneyt) Griffin. He graduated from Shoreline High School in 1974 and from Seattle Pacific University in 1980, where he met his wife of forty years, Rhonda Lee Russell. They had just celebrated their 40th anniversary on December 15th.
Steve and Rhonda owned and ran Broadway Hardware and Variety in Everett for 19 years. After selling the business property he worked 19 years teaching and selling the software they had used in the store to large accounts across the United States. Steve retired just before turning 60. After retiring, he enjoyed flipping homes, working on rental houses, and spending time with family. He always wanted to be busy. He loved to dream up adventures and plan projects.
He was instrumental in growing Young Life in Marysville and it was hosted at their Marysville home for many years, adding on to the garage twice to accommodate the growth.
He was an active member of local churches throughout his life, including Smokey Point Community Church, Marysville Church of the Nazarene, and Bethany Christian Assembly in Everett.
For 20 years Steve and Rhonda were foster parents and during that time 170 kids were a part of their family, adopting 7. Steve would joke that his job was to have fun with the kids and Rhonda could take care of the details. It was a work of joy for both.
Throughout his life, he enjoyed spending time with his kids and watching them participate in their activities. For many years he would take them swimming each week. He spent lots of time swimming with kids and grandkids this past summer. Steve supported their interests if it was running 200 miles, flipping or fixing houses or coaching and watching baseball and other sports.
Steve and Rhonda taught financial planning classes for 12 years at their church. Steve never met a stranger and loved connecting with people. He enjoyed telling people that 9 of the kids lived in Snohomish County because he joked with them before they got married that they had to stay here.
He is survived by his beloved wife Rhonda; his eleven children, their spouses and 25 grandchildren: Lisa (Michael) Stevens—Aden, Elsie, Griffin, Theodore, & Rosie of Marysville; Katherine (Casey) Klein—Kali, Lincoln, Cohin, Bria, Alana, & Silas of Arlington; Daniel (Emily Witt) Griffin of Richmond, CA; Cheryl (Rocky) Oliphant—Clinton, Sawyer, Emery, & Nora of Marysville; Jazmine Griffin—Hallie, Jayla, & Stevie of Everett; Jalisa (Dave) Shields—Oliver & Millie of Marysville; Cruz (Danielle) Griffin—Maddison, Landon, Autumn, & Jaxxon of Marysville; Lee (Haylie) Griffin—Ryder of Mount Vernon; Andrew Griffin of Tulalip; Timothy Griffin of Everett; & Amber (Gabriel) Newman of Olympia; his parents Joe & Leona; siblings Peggy (Sig); Rod (Diana); in-laws Eric (Kit), Stuart (Pam), Rayanne and Sandi, and thirteen nieces & nephews.
A memorial service will be held on January 2, 2020, 1:00 PM at Bethany Christian Assembly in Everett. You are all invited to join the celebration of his life.
Memorial gifts in Steve's memory can be made to Hand in Hand (a foster child resource) 9502 19th Ave SE, Suite F Everett WA 98208.
Details about the last 2 years are in a Facebook group "The Adventures of Steve and His Heroine Rhonda."
FUNERAL INFORMATION
A memorial service will be held on:
January 2, 2020 at 1:00 pm
Bethany Christian Assembly
2715 Everett Ave, Everett, WA 98201
DONATIONS
Memorial gifts in Steve's memory can be made to:
Hand in Hand (a foster child resource)
9502 19th Ave SE, Suite F Everett WA 98208
https://handinhandkids.org/