James Neal Griffin

A community angel was sent to heaven Friday, October 4, 2013. Jim Griffin came to Yreka in 1968 from Santa Ana, California, and spent the next four decades volunteering on numerous committees and organizations. His sole purpose was to improve the quality of life in Yreka and Siskiyou County. Jim loved his country and was a true patriot. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1952 through 1956 serving in the Korean War. Jim worked for Scott Valley Bank from 1968 until he purchased Tri-Travel in 1980. His civic involvement has been continuous over a long period of time serving as: President of the Yreka Chamber of Commerce, President and coach of Yreka Little League Baseball, President of Miner Power, Chairman of the Business Retention and Expansion Task Force, Director of the Yreka-Montague Airport Commission, Director of the Siskiyou County Economic Development Council, two-time member of the Board of Directors of the Yreka Loan Committee, Founder of the Yreka Youth Football Program, Chairman of the Yreka Recreation Department Board, and Member of the Yreka Elks Lodge Youth Committee. Jim was elected three times as a Yreka City Councilman and served as past mayor of the City of Yreka. After his retirement in 2003, he went on to become the Executive Director of Siskiyou Habitat for Humanity until his death. He held this organization very dear to his heart. In 2005, the community rewarded his service by naming him “Yreka Citizen of the Year.” He felt extremely honored and humbled to be given this wonderful award. As much as Jim was dedicated to his community, his first love was his family. He is survived by his wife Marsha, his father-in-law Bob Lightle, his son Chris Griffin, daughter Kelly Griffin, and granddaughters Kelsey and Kerrie. He was also a loving father to Jeff Egeline and his wife Carly; his daughter Erin Abold and her husband Shane. He also adored his grandchildren Trenton and Taylor Abold. Services will be held on Friday, October 11, 2013 at 11:00 AM at the Yreka United Methodist Church. Inurnment with military honors will follow at the Little Shasta Cemetery in Montague. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Siskiyou Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 1482, Yreka, CA 96097. We will all miss a wonderful husband, father, papa, patriot and community leader who left such an impact on our lives. Rest in peace.

James Neal Griffin

June 27, 1933 - October 4, 2013