Tommy L. Griffin

Deacon Tommy Lee Griffin was a devoted father, a gifted craftsman and a Godly Prayer Warrior, eldest of four children born to Eddie Jason Griffin and Ethel Lee (Parker) Dodson May 19, 1945, in Stuttgart, Arkansas. Tommy spent most of his childhood in Humphrey, Arkansas with three of his siblings, Vayline, Arlestia (Lisa) and Herman where they were raised by their grandmother, Willie Mae Parker. 

In 1964, Tommy graduated from Rosenwald High School in Humphrey Arkansas and moved to Kansas City, Missouri to join his sisters, Vayline and Lisa.

Tommy’s employment began at Pooch’s Restaurant later joining his mother’s restaurant, The Deluxe Steak House on 34th and Prospect.

In 1966, Tommy joined the Pentecostal Church of God in Christ where he met Olivia Burns whom he married August 31, 1968. Tommy and Oliva were blessed with 3 children, Regina, LaTisa and Erika Griffin, a devoted, loving and caring family built on faith until her passing July 2002. He remained a faithful member of the church until he received his wings.

Tommy served his church with unwavering devotion, time, talents and treasures. He was a faithful 6 am Sunday morning prayer warrior lifting prayers for all he knew and loved. He took care of the church grounds security, shoveling the parking lot and sidewalks in the winter, cutting grass, trimming trees, planting flowers and landscaping in the summer and never required recognition but simple who he was and the love he had for the late Bishop Daniel M Jordan and the church.

Anointed Talent and Vision: Tommy never received official training in his craft but was blessed with a God given talent. He often said, “God would show him what to do in his sleep”. He would wake up, write it down and then build exactly what he envisioned whether it was framing a house, repairing what others believed was beyond repair or constructing commercial buildings. His craftsmanship was extraordinary.

Tommy was so gifted in his craft, he was blessed to work in construction for many years before starting a new chapter in 1994, where he began working with Construction Union Local 264 and retired through J E Dunn in 2004. Throughout his career, he contributed to building many major structures throughout Kansas City metropolitan areas such as Harrah’s, Argosy and the Flamingo Hilton Casinos to name a few.

November 25, 2004, Tommy and Jacquline King, were married. This union added another layer of love and stability to his life. He cherished the years spent together but did not waver the love with his children.

Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 12:14 pm, Tommy transitioned from his earthly body and received his eternal reward. Tommy leaves a legacy built with his hands, strengthened by his prayer, and rooted in his love. Everything he touched from the structures he crafted to the lives he prayed for reflects the faith and dedication that defined him.

Tommy was preceded in death by his parents, Eddie Griffin and Ethel Lee (Parker) Dodson, grandmother, Willie Mae Parker, brother, Herman Griffin, first wife, Oliva Griffin, daughter, Regina Griffin, three sisters-in-love, Millie Woody, Velma Jones and Greta Mayberry. Brother-in-love, Pastor James Bailey, Ike Wright, Elder Ted Jones.

Tommy leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Jacquline Griffin, daughters, LaTisa Goolsby (Jason), Erika Griffin. Stepson, Calvin Ray Pickens, Granddaughter, Emani Hatch, four sisters, Vayline Griffin, Lisa McDaniels (Levi), Carol Winn (Montel), and Mildred Jones. One brother, Tyrone Adams, Mother- In Love, Mother Mae Pearl Slaughter, Sisters-In-Loves, District Missionary Janet Bailey, District Missionary Lilian Wright, Anna King, Loretta Davis (Keith), Yolanda King, Catina Willis, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.