Byron Griffy was
born and raised
in Las Animas.
At the age of 6,
he dreamed of
being in the
funeral
business. Now at
age 74, he is
living proof
that dreams do
come true.
And because of
his commitment
to Fowler,
Griffy has been
asked and will
serve as this
year’s Missouri
Day parade
marshal.
In 1958 he
graduated
Mortuary School
in Dallas, Texas
and his career
in the funeral
business began
in Las Animas in
1960. In Sept.
1968, he had the
opportunity to
buy the funeral
homes in Fowler
and Manzanola.
He packed up his
wife and three
daughters,
Lindalin,
Linette and Amy,
and the rest is
history.
A man of many
hats, he served
as a Fowler
School Board
member for
13-plus years,
which he said
allowed him the
honor of
awarding his
three daughters’
their diplomas,
and working with
the late Dr.
Larry Vibber,
who became a
dear friend. He
was a host
parent to
several exchange
students, whom
he remembers by
name, still
corresponds with
today and hopes
to someday have
the opportunity
to visit in
their countries.
At an early age,
he started
collecting
stamps and
coins, and
continues to do
so today.
However, in
1984, while
attending a
class reunion,
someone broke
into his home
and stole many
of the coins
that were part
of his
collection.
Later in life he
developed an
interest in
raising
ornamental
pheasants and
peacocks. In
earlier years he
would give young
children pairs
of birds with
hopes that they
would develop an
interest in them
as well. Today,
some of those
“children” bring
their children
and
grandchildren to
his farm to get
birds for
themselves.
When asked what
he enjoys most
in life, he
said, “My
children and
grandchildren,
Neylan 10, Liam
and Laiken 7,
and my extended
family.” Griffy
spends his spare
time attending
their many
activities,
working with
them on their
Alpaca farm, He
was quick to say
that he can
still buck a
bale of hay, but
is anxious for
the day that his
grandchildren
can take over
that chore.
They love to
have visitors at
what he referred
to as the
“Griffy Zoo.”
They have had
school groups
and others stop
to see all of
their animals.
When time
allows, he
enjoys attending
the opera in
Santa Fe, N.M.
and listening to
classical music.
Admitting he has
seen a lot of
changes in
Fowler over the
years, he said
one thing that
will never
change is the
close-knit
community Fowler
has, and he
feels blessed
that he has been
able to be part
of it He
commended all of
the local
business people
for their part
in making Fowler
a great
community.
Being chosen as
this year’s
parade marshal
confirms that.
Griffy said
being chosen is
“one of the
highlights of my
life.”
His career has
spanned over 50
years and he
estimated that
he has provided
funeral services
to 8,000-10,000
families, some
of which were
very dear
friends, which,
he said, is the
hardest part of
his job.
As of now,
Griffy has no
plans of
retiring in the
near future.
It’s evident
that he is
living his
dream.
Fowler Tribune
Fowler, Colo. —
