Theron D Griffin

RUPERT - Theron Delos Griffin, an 89-year-old resident of Rupert passed away May 25th, 2024 at his home.

Theron was born on March 20th, 1935, in Clarkston, Utah to Rulon and Jennie Griffin. His family moved to Springdale when he was 9 months old. He attended grade school in Springdale and attended junior and senior high in Rupert. After breaking his arm playing football his junior year, he joined the cheerleading squad and found out it was a lot more fun, He graduated from Rupert High in 1953.

He met his future wife, LeNell Hough in the seventh grade. They were married on September 12, 1954. They were sealed three years later in the Logan temple. This year marks their 70th year of marriage.

Theron was the middle child of seven children. He loved his siblings and every one of their kids. He was raising his own pigs and had his own milk cows when he was a junior in high school. After marriage he farmed with his best friend (his dad). They raised pigs, sugar beets, potatoes, hay, and grain. At one point he was the largest contractor with Simplot Potatoes. He served on the Board of the Minidoka County Beet Growers Association for many years.

After his family, farming was his greatest passion. He continued to farm until the age of 85. Digging potatoes was his favorite thing to do. He dug his last 800 acres for LaVel Stoker at the age of 79.

In his short life, he went from watching, and helping his dad farm with horses, to operating 700 horsepower tractors with GPS systems for Ken Kostka and LaVel.

Dad loved to serve in his church and had many different callings. Whether it was helping two-year-olds in primary or Elderly Widows he always found joy in lifting the hands of those that hung down. Sixty years later, people still come up and say, “Hi Bishop Griffin.”

One of his greatest passions was snowmobiling. He and his brother-in-law were among the first ever to snowmobile in Yellowstone National Park. It was a balmy 40 degrees below zero that day. He took his family and friends there over 60 more times during his life. He loved the animals, the Canyon, and Hayden Valley.

He is survived by: LeNell, his wife of 69 years, three children, Diane (Rob) Newman, Brent (Connie) Griffin, and Robert Griffin. His 14 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren, and his sister Myrna Stevenson. He was preceded in death by his parents, his two brothers, and three sisters.

There will be a viewing on May 31st, 2024, at the Hansen Mortuary in Rupert from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. The funeral service will be held at the Rupert West Stake Center at 26 S 100 W, Rupert, Idaho, Saturday June 1, 2024. Services will conclude with burial in the Rupert Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Hansen Mortuary.