June 12, 1939 - Nov. 19, 2014
Having grown up in Carson City during the 40’s and 50’s he enjoyed the wonderful freedoms of childhood. Friends and family were often entertained with tales of his mishaps and adventures during those early years. John was a proud graduate of Carson High School; Class of 1957, and a member of the State Championship football team in 1956. His life’s path then took him to the University of San Francisco, receiving a bachelor’s degree in 1961. In 1974, John earned a Master of Education degree from University of Nevada. In 1961, he taught at Riordan High School in San Francisco and then at Wooster High School in Reno, NV. In 1964, he became the Adult Education Supervisor for the Nevada Dept. of Education and then the Chief of the Adult Education Branch in the US Office of Education in Washington DC. Returning to Nevada, he was the Supervisor of Special Vocational Programs in Nevada. In 1974, John became the Chief of Planning, Research and Program Development in the Nevada Rehabilitation Division. He finished his 30-year State employment career in 1989, after a 9 year stint as the Administrator of the Nevada Commission on Postsecondary Education. Being a young retiree, John’s retirement years provided him with a multitude of professional and recreational opportunities. When not traveling far and wide, he consulted for the Department of Education, the University of Nevada, several private schools and school districts and a number of other public and private organizations. For a number of years, he was a field reader evaluating the U.S. Department of Education’s higher education proposals. During the 2011 and 2013 legislative sessions, he was a proofreader for the Senate. Some of his happiest moments were spent playing bass with bands Reunion and Rosewood from 1981 to 2003. John played with Red’s Ramblers from 2003 to 2011. Though a busy man, John’s family was his pride and joy. He married Patty Doty of Carson City in February of 1964. Their marriage soon produced two children, Brennon and Lia. Sadly, as sometimes happens, the marriage ended in 1985. In 1993 John married a longtime friend from the bay area, Marge Frazier. With that union, he acquired three adult children and nine grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Lena (Perri) Griffin. He is survived by his son Brennon, his daughter Lia (Mike) and grandchildren Quinn and Cecily Rooker. Also surviving are Ted Cavagnaro(Terri), Jill Sickler (Jeff) and Jean O’Donnell (Kevin) all of Napa, CA. Additional grandchildren are Lacey C Fulford (Chad), Jessica C Rhinehart(Stephan), Allie and Josh Cavagnaro, Craig, Trevor and Jenny Sickler, and Katie and Jack O’Donnell. Also surviving are three and one-half great grandchildren, all of Napa. Unanimous opinion is their Grandpa John was a terrific guy. He shared his love freely. John is also survived by brothers Tim (Pam), Mike (Jill) and Pat Griffin, four nieces and four nephews and their progeny, brothers in law Jim (Anaris) and Dan (Sandy) Frazier, and their families. Services will be held Saturday, November 29, at Walton’s Chapel of the Valley at 2 pm. A viewing will be held at 1pm. For the online obituary go to www.waltonsfuneralhomes.com.