Thomas H. (Tom) Griffis, Sr.

Thomas H. (Tom) Griffis, Sr. Cary - Born, raised and residing in Cary NC since June 5th 1924, Tom passed away at the age of 87 on December 27, 2011. As a former volunteer with the Cary Fire Department, a Cary Town councilman, and Mayor Pro Tem, Toms life was historic. He was instrumental in securing compensation for the employees of Carys Police and Fire Departments. Prior to this, these services were provided by volunteers. He was selected Outstanding Young Man of the Year by the Cary Jaycees. In addition, Griffis street was named for the Griffis family, honoring their outstanding services to the community. With a talent for sales in the furniture industry, he was employed professionally with Coopers Furniture Company until his retirement. Throughout life, Tom had a wonderful knack for improving things, had golden hands in carpentry, and cleverly conquered any challenging construction issues. In being extremely smart and detail-oriented in these trades, Toms opinion was worth its weight in gold. As member of the First Baptist Church for 77 years and on the original cradle roll since birth, he taught the 6th grade boys Sunday school class and Royal Ambassadors. Greenwood Forest Baptist Church has been his spiritual home for the last 11 years, where he enjoyed serving on the Properties committee and ushering. Tom is survived by his wife, Javain Stephenson Partin Griffis, son, Tommy Griffis, grandsons, Scott (Laurie) and Herbie Griffis, three step children; JoAnn (Larry) Partin- Shipp, Dan (Tina) Partin, Stan (Ann) Partin, step grand-children; Richard (Jenna), Laura (Brandon), Joanna (Mike), Joseph (Lauren), Matthew and Jacob, Toms oldest sister, Mildred McCullers, and the blended families spouses and relatives. Tom was preceded in death by parents Carl & Annie Griffis, first wife, Marie, sister, Lucy Mayton, brothers, Coffield and JC Griffis. The family would like to extend their appreciation and love to Gloria and her entire Hospice Team for the compassion and care which Tom received. Visitation will be held at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, 831 Wake Forest Rd, Raleigh NC, Thursday, December 29, 2011 from 7-9pm. Celebration of his life will be Friday, December 30, 2011 at 2:00pm at Greenwood Forest Baptist Church, 110 SE Maynard Rd, Cary NC. Burial to follow at Raleigh Memorial Park, Hwy 70, Raleigh, NC. Flowers accepted or memorial contributions can be made to the Greenwood Forest Baptist Church Bus Fund, 110 SE Maynard Rd, Cary, NC 27511 or Hospice of Wake County, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh NC 27607.Arrangements by Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, Raleigh.