Blog 77 Charles Griffin

Charles M. Griffin

January 24, 1936 – August 27, 2017

Obituary

Charles M. Griffin, age 81, went to be with Lord on August 27, 2017. He was born on January 24, 1936 in San Antonio, TX to Floyd & Lurene Griffin. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend who will be dearly missed. He graduated from Jefferson High School (class of 1954) and later joined the Army National Guard. He married Dorathea “Dottie” O. Schwope and were married for 61 years. He went to Texas A & M, Trinity University and graduated from the University of Houston Pharmacy School. He loved to ranch and was the 4th generation on the Decker Ranch in Hondo, TX.

He was a member of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association; a Life Member of the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo; Triune Lodge; Alzafar Shrine; State Pharmacy Association; and Bexar County Pharmacy Association.

He owned Dellview Pharmacy for over 16 years. He then worked and retired from the Alamo Heights Pharmacy.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and grandson, John “J.T.” Tarro.

He is survived by his loving wife Dorathea “Dottie” Schwope Griffin; 2 children, Charla Tarro- Pawelek & husband Charlie and Charles J. Griffin & wife Denise; 3 grandchildren, Chandra Tarro, Hilton Schweitzer & wife Hattie and Erin Griffin; 2 step-grandchildren, Macy and Logan Pawelek; 1 great-granddaughter, Fallyn Schweitzer; numerous other family members and close friends.

Visitation will be 5-7p.m., Thursday, August 31, 2017 at Sunset Funeral Home. The Funeral Service will be 12 noon, Friday, September 1, 2017 at Sunset Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park.

Condolences may be offered at www.sunsetfuneralhomesa.com.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzafar Shrine Transportation Fund, 901 N Loop 1604, San Antonio, TX 78232 or to a charity of your choice.

====================================================================================================================

I am deeply saddened to post this obituary. My first post-Jefferson connection with Charlie was thirty-three years ago, when we worked together on the 1984 class reunion. Charlie, along with Dottie, was totally committed to offering up memorable celebrations. He quickly became my go-to guy whenever there was an extra job or task to be done. That continued up until today. I cannot ever recall Charlie saying no to any request I may have made. And Dottie was right beside Charlie all the way.

Charlie passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack in the middle of the night. For those who are not close to him, he was active, driving out to Hondo a couple of times each week to work on the ranch. He and I had discussed recently how active and in shape he was. It is my understanding that he had recently had a successful physical.

My best memories of Charlie at Jeff go back to the Senior play, when the cast included Charlie, Dottie, Ed Davis, and a host of others, including Aleen Smith, Beverly Cole, Nancy Grauer, Carol Hanson, Sue Grum, Dick Blount, David Mills, Bobby Rios, myself, and a slew of others. Ed Davis had encouraged Charlie to call Dottie and ask her out (don’t know how Ed knew to do that). My understanding is that Charlie called Dottie and she hung up on him. She claims it was an accident. At any rate, they started seeing each other, and I recall that they sat side by side in cooing in the back of the auditorium during rehearsals.

I spoke with Dottie on Sunday evening. She was in shock at the suddenness of Charles’ passing, but she was coping well. Her outlook is positive.

I belabor the point, but a great many of us will miss Charlie.