Kenneth Ray “Kat” Griffis, 77, son of Jeremiah Jackson Griffis and Lola New Griffis, was born Jan. 7, 1931, at Celeste, Texas. He died Aug. 17. 2008, at Lebanon.
He served in the U.S. Army for 21 years, retiring as command sergeant major. He worked in construction as a heavy equipment operator and built homes for Habitat.
The Griffis lived in Houston for 21 years, and he was active in Habitat for Humanity.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter, Barbara; three sisters and four brothers.
Surviving are his wife, Nettie, whom he married June 21, 1963; three sons, Donald Eugene of Leonard, Texas, Michael Stubblefield of Acworth, Ga., and Kenneth Ray Jr.; four daughters, Kathy Blanschke of Richardson, Texas, Jan Dooley of Edgar Springs, Tomi Cochran of Lebanon and Tyla McCollum of Cleveland, Texas; one brother, Joe Griffis of White Right, Texas; one sister, Lou Warren of Wolf City, Texas; 15 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Services are Friday at the First Baptist Church in Celeste, Texas, under the direction Shadel’s Colonial Chapel in Lebanon. Burial is in the Hogeye Cemetery at Celeste, Texas.
