Rev. Tom H. Griffin, 83, went to be with his Savior on March 13, 2017, after a long illness.

Tom was born June 7, 1933, in Hubert, Oklahoma, to William and Dovie Griffin. When he was 14 years old, the family moved to Colorado. There, Tom started his ministry with the Assemblies of God and was ordained in May of 1957. On June 7, 1953, he married Hazel M. Breckenridge and later they had a daughter, Sheryl Marie. Tom was a pastor in Colorado until 1964.

In 1964 Tom moved his family to Arkansas, and was pastor for several churches. While in Arkansas, Tom became a youth representative for the Assembly of God's youth department. In 1969, Tom and his family moved to Wyoming so he could be a supply pastor on the Wind River Reservation. He liked Wyoming, so in 1970 he was voted in as pastor in Green River. In the several years he was there, he built the church building which is still in use. Tom also served as a sectional and district presbyter in Wyoming. In 1979 Tom moved to Hulett, Wyoming, where he became very active with the youth camp in the capacity of counselor, horse wrangler, and carpenter. In 1980 Tom and his family moved to Jewett, Texas.

Tom still loved Wyoming so he moved back to Wyoming to pastor in Casper in 1983. Later, Tom went back to the Wind River reservation as a full-time Home missionary to the Native Americans. Hazel passed away while they were living on the Wind River reservation in Ethete, Wyoming.

On December 4, 1987, Tom married a young lady named Bonita M. Kipp. During their twenty-nine years together, Tom was pastor of several more Native American churches in Minnesota, Arizona, and Idaho. When they were living in Fort Hall, Idaho, Tom and Bonita adopted two boys, Robert and Earl. Yet, Tom's heart still longed for Wyoming and eventually the family moved back to the state. Tom pastored a couple more churches in Wyoming until his retirement. Tom remained active in the church until his death.

When not involved with church activities, Tom enjoyed playing his guitars, bass and electric. He would play on Saturday nights at the nursing home with rest of a musical group until he was unable to play due to health. Tom also loved singing and teaching his sons to train horses. Tom was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents, a sister, his first wife, Hazel, and a grandson.

Tom is survived by his second wife, Bonita Marie, his daughter, Sheryl M. (Robert) Finely, his two sons: Robert (Lisa) Griffin and Earl (Raylene) Griffin, three brothers, a sister, six grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, as well nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

Services will be held later this year. Arrangements are under the care of Coltrin Mortuary,2100 First St., Idaho Falls. Online condolences may be sent to www.coltrinmortuary.com.