Howard Emerson Griffin

Howard Emerson Griffin, 98, of Crestwood, Kentucky, died September 30 in his own home. Visitation will be October 3, 4-6 p.m. and October 4, 9-10 a.m. at Stoess’ Funeral Home in Crestwood, KY.   Funeral and Masonic Service follows at 10 am, October 4, with interment to follow at Floydsburg Cemetery of Crestwood, Kentucky.

Howard was born Jan 13,1927 to Lois and W.D. Griffin in Vernon, Alabama. He left high school and his childhood home to join the service.

Soon after the war, in 1948, he married Lillian Buickerood of Tottenville, NY.

After the war, he returned home and started an automotive business in Fayette AL. He then was in the Army, had a long and distinguished military career which ended after his tour of duty in Vietnam in 1971. After some moving with military assignments, they moved to Valley Station, KY to be near Fort Knox and raise their children.

He had a second career with Brandt Inc, repairing money-counting machinery across Kentucky, before his final retirement in 1991.

They moved to Oldham County in 1978, and stayed on their little farm until his death.  Lillian preceded him in death in 2014. He then met the joy of his last 11 years, Jan Jasper of Oldham County.  Jan cared for him and loved him dearly in his waning years. He died in his own home the morning of September 30, 2025. 

Howard is survived by his children Wayne (Deborah) of Gulf Shores, AL; Gary (Stephanie Midkiff) of Eugene, OR; and Lori Byron (Robert Byron) of Red Lodge, MT. They have 3 granddaughters, Rebecca Bell (Loxley AL), Robin Byron (Cleveland OH) and Elizabeth Byron (Fort Collins CO).

Howard joined the Scottish Rite in 1960 and was active in Shrine for many years. He was an active member of the American Legion.

Howard loved fishing, eating his catch, and frying fish for others in the community. He always had a large garden; fresh tomatoes and corn were annual highlights.  He could build and fix (and jury-rig) almost anything from cars to carriages, build furniture, rebuild homes, wire and plumb and lay bricks and pour concrete. He attended Crestwood Baptist and DeHaven Baptist Church. He honored the veteran cemeteries, especially Valley of Rest, and presented in schools and at local events to ensure that the price for freedom is not forgotten. He contributed several memorials to the Veterans’ Memorial Park of Kentucky in Lagrange, KY.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Veterans Memorial Park of Kentucky, vmpky.org.  Any plants or flowers received will be donated to local institutions. The family and Jan wish to extend our sincere thanks to Hosparus, and Baptist East Hospital.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Howard Emerson Griffin, please visit our floral store.