KENNETH GRIFFITH
Obituary
Kenneth "Cowboy Jack"
Griffith died Tuesday (Sept. 26, 2017), just three months short of
his 90th birthday. He was married to the love of his life, Leona
Helen Schmidt, on May 30, 1953, and they recently celebrated 64 years
of marriage.
His children and grandchildren were his
pride and joy and he put all of them on horseback as soon as he
could. His pleasures were simple and plain: God, family, music,
horses and the independence and freedom of farming life.
Cowboy Jack was also something of a
local celebrity, serving as the singing cowboy at Cowtown for many
years with his wife, Miss Onie, and loyal mount, Fred the horse. He
also provided dinner music at the Prairie Rose country music show
and, with Miss Onie cooking and son, Tom, driving the wagon team, put
on the Westward Ho Roundup Suppers near Walton for many church
groups, civic clubs, family celebrations and other groups over the
years.
Jack was a longtime member and song
leader for Golden Plains Free Methodist Church. He taught Sunday
School, served on the church board and was always ready to talk about
his personal relationship with Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.
He was most proud of his service in the
U.S. Army as a Sergeant First Class in Korea, serving as an
ammunition foreman. He counted it as one of the most meaningful
experiences of his life.
Survivors include his wife, Leona;
daughter, Susan (Elias) Agel of Oklahoma City; son, Frank (Peggy)
Griffith of Wichita; son, Thomas Griffith of Walton; daughter, Sara
Griffith of Menifee, California; and brother, Claude Earl, also known
as Tom, (Bettie) Griffith of McPherson. He is also survived by 10
grandchildren: Amanda and husband Drew, Kaitlin, Andrew, Keemia,
Jacob, Kiana, Scott, Megan and Tyler; and four great-grandchildren:
Elijah, Abraham, Paul and Mary.
He was preceded in death by his
parents, Louis and Hazel Griffith; brothers, Andrew Griffith and
Marshall Griffith; and sister, Darlene Ward.
His service will be held at 10 a.m.
Saturday (Sept. 30, 2017) at the Golden Plains Free Methodist Church,
two miles north of Newton on Highway K-15. Internment will be at the
Walton Cemetery. Viewing will be at Petersen Funeral Home, Newton,
from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday (Sept. 29, 2017), with members of the family
present from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Memorials may be made to Golden Plains
Free Methodist Church or to Positive Tomorrows (a school for homeless
children in Oklahoma City).
