Jack W. Griffith

Jack W. Griffith, 64, of Davenport and formerly of Grinnell, died Wednesday, May 27, 2020, at his home.

A public funeral service with military honors by the U.S. Navy will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 3 at the Grinnell Christian Church. A reception will follow in the Family Life Center of the Christian Church. A public visitation will begin at noon Tuesday, June 2 at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell. The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m.

Memorials may be designated to the Jack W. Griffith Memorial Fund, mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home, P.O. Box 368, Grinnell, Iowa 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared with Jack’s family online at smithfh.com.

Jack Wesley Griffith was born Nov. 15, 1955, to Carl Wesley Griffith and Vina Viola (Van Dusen) Griffith in Grinnell. He was raised in Grinnell and graduated from Grinnell High School with the Class of 1974. He honorably served his country in the United States Navy from 1974 to 1977.

On Feb. 17, 1979, Jack was united in marriage to Norma Jean Burnell. They were blessed with two children, Holly Marie Griffith and Nicholas Charles Griffith. Most of their lives they lived in Grinnell, where Jack was a longtime employee with the City of Grinnell. Upon his retirement, Jack and Norma moved to Davenport o be closer to their grandchildren.

Jack loved spending time with his family, but especially his grandchildren. He spent countless hours regaling them with stories of his adventures — freely passing down his own entertaining reflections and wisdom. He loved motorcycles and traveling and was often a man prone to escaping into the world. Jack was self-educated by virtue of voracious reading and had an extraordinary passion for music of all genres — a love he happily instilled in his children. He laughed often and easily — and was a loyal husband, father and friend.

Above all, his most successful endeavor and contribution in this world was ensuring his family was happy and loved.

Jack is survived by his wife of 41 years, Norma Griffith of Davenport; his daughter, Holly Griffith (Adam Vilmont) of Bettendorf; his son, Nicholas Griffith (Laurel Dellachiesa) of Davenport; his grandchildren, Madeline, Jack and Sam Norton; Evelyn Vilmont; Ella and Irie Bremer; his brother, Charles (Lisa) Griffith; his mother-in-law, Charlotte Burnell; his brothers-in-law, Larry Burnell, Loren Burnell, Ron Montgomery and Addison Jensen; his sisters-in-law, Debra Montgomery, Sondi Burnell and Michele Jensen, all from Grinnell; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his father-in-law, Merle Burnell; and brother-in-law, John Burnell.

CDC guidelines for gatherings encourage social distancing and other safe practices to minimize the spread of COVID-19.