Larry Dean Griffie , was born on April 30, 1948, in Hays, Kansas, to Richard Lawdean Griffe and Tressie Odella Mathews-Griffie. He was a beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Brother, Uncle, Cousin, Friend, and so much more. He lost his battle to Cancer at the age of 71, July 26, 2019, at 5:30 p.m.; at his home surrounded by his loved ones. His physical body is gone, but to be absent to the body is to be present with the Lord. His mother Tressie, made sure that her children were active in church, and they sang in the Children's Choir. Larry and his family were members of the Presbyterian Church in Winfield, Kansas, and at an early age, he accepted the Lord. Although, Larry was not a church-goer, his faith in God was deep, and he never stopped believing.  He would get up every morning singing "Jesus" by Shekinah Glory Ministry; he always sang and talked to God. This was a perfect example to his grandchildren, and a precious memory to them to hear their "Poppa" singing and talking to God every morning. Larry, attended schools in Winfield and Wichita, Kansas. He was very knowledgeable, and had a lot of wisdom. Even though he did not attend college, he never stopped learning. He educated himself by listening and observing life, and could answer anything you asked him. Larry, learned the trade of truck driving and had his Commercial Driver's License, loved traveling across the country, and before retiring, he became an independent truck driver, which he named his business "Flying Angels." He chose this name, because he said, it represented his loved ones who have gone on to be with the Lord. Larry, and his family relocated from Winfield, Kansas to Los Angeles, California in 1962. This is where he met and married the love of his life, Margaret Tufele; they have been together for 46 years.  From this union were born four (4) children; Larry II, Tressie, Tiare and Losa. Prior to this union, Larry had two (2) children, Jorelle and J'Neane. In 1978, Larry relocated his family to Wichita, Kansas. Larry , and his family would take yearly road trips to visit family in Los Angeles. He always drove because, he was afraid of flying. When he was asked, "when are you going to visit Samoa", because his wife is from the island of Samoa, he would say, "when they build a highway." The family road trips became a family tradition in July, because they would celebrate his wife, daughter and mother's birthdays, the 4 ^th , 9 ^th and 10 ^th . Also every year along with the trips to Los Angeles, he would drive to Nicodemus, Kansas, to go to the Homecoming Celebrations.  The road trips to Nicodemus were mainly to spend time with his Dad and grandmother, LaVerne Griffie and their relatives. This was a celebration for all the families who grew up around towns in western Kansas. Larry's, favorite saying to his family was "WE ARE RICH IN LOVE."  Larry would gather his children and grandchildren, and tell them "we are rich!!"  They would be so excited and happy thinking they had money. After seeing their excitement, he would say to them, "WE ARE RICH IN LOVE!!" They reacted with disappointment, thinking they had money. Larry , developed special friends with bonds that could not be broken, and became friends with practically everyone he met. These friendships included; Tony "Butch" and Alma Acosta of Whittier, California; Brent and Tonya Russell of Fort Worth, Texas; Ray Bates, Sylester Daniels, and Chris Carter, all of Wichita, Kansas. Larry, loved to tell jokes and make people laugh, had a vivid imagination, mischievous, and he loved to do magic tricks for his grandchildren. Larry's life, legacy, and love will forever live on, as he wanted through his grandchildren.

He leaves to cherish his memory:  his loving and faithful wife, Margaret; sons:  Jorrelle Griffie, Larry Dean Griffie, II of Suwanee, Georgia; daughters:  Tressie Griffie, Tiare (Rone) Smith, and Losa Griffie, all of Wichita, Kansas; three siblings, Melva Jean Charles of Los Angeles, CA; Leslie Martin Griffie, of Wichita, KS and Charlotte Arlene Vincent, of Harbor City, CA; fourteen (14) grandchildren, two (2) great grandchildren; a host of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends that will miss him greatly. He was preceded in death by his parents; father, Richard Lawdean Griffie; mother, Tressie Odella Griffie; brother, Gaylin Eugene Griffie; and daughter, J'Neane Griffie.

Services will be held 10 a.m., Monday, August 5, at the St. James Missionary Baptist Church, 1350 N. Ash, Wichita, Kansas with graveside following at Maize Park Cemetery, Maize, Kansas. Condolences may be left for the family at  www.bakerfhvc.com