John “Sam” Herman Griffith, age 83 of Garvin, passed away on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 of heart failure in a hospice room at the Tyler Hospital after celebrating his 83rd birthday on January 20th with family members. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 25, 2025 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy. Visitation will be held 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Friday at Tracy Area Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Tracy.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Mary’s Church, St. Mary’s School, or Avera@Home Hospice are preferred. Online condolences may be sent to www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
John “Sam” Herman Griffith was born to Morris and Mabel (Paetzel) Griffith on January 20, 1942 in Tracy, MN. He attended Tracy Public School, graduating in 1960. After graduation, Sam attended Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis for welding. He then joined the South Dakota Air National Guard where he served 6 years as a radar mechanic on F102 aircraft. Sam was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant in 1967. In November 1965, Sam was married to Janet Cooreman and they returned to the family farm where he farmed until retirement. After he retired, Sam missed farming and working with large equipment so starting helping the Peterson boys, who gave him the title of “Relocation Specialist.” It gave him a reason to get up and going in the morning like he did for so many years. Sam was a member of the Monroe Township and Bethel Cemetery boards for many years, and was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Sam was a past member of the Jaycees where he was named Outstanding Young Farmer in 1975. Some activities that Sam enjoyed were roller skating, snow skiing, water skiing, golf, NASCAR races, and wintering in Arizona. Sam loved building and working with his hands. He liked to build some of his own farm equipment, also built a rainbow playset for the grandchildren, and several decks for his kids. One of Sam’s favorite pastimes was spending time with his kids and grandkids.
Sam is survived by his wife Janet; children: John (Peggy) Griffith of Chanhassen and Alisa (John) Lickteig of Eden Prairie; grandchildren: Olivia and Emma Lickteig, Gabrielle, Collin and William Griffith; and many other family and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents Morris and Mabel.