Gary Alan Griffin

Gary Alan Griffin passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 25, 2026, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Gary was born on December 30, 1950, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Lloyd and Ruth (Haberman) Griffin. The family spent the first five years of Gary's life in Grand Rapids, where he enjoyed a wonderful childhood surrounded by his many Haberman aunts, uncles, and cousins. The family later moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and eventually to Des Plaines, Illinois, where Gary graduated from Maine West Township High School in 1969.

Following high school, Gary attended Iowa State University later transferring to DeVry Institute of Technology, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Electronic Engineering. It was during his time at Iowa State that he met the love of his life, Barbara Cunningham. They married in 1972 and spent the next five decades building a life together.

Gary proudly served his country in the U.S. Naval Reserve from 1971 to 1977 at Naval Air Station Glenview in Illinois. He began his professional career as an installer with Illinois Bell Telephone Company before joining Motorola as an Electronic Designer. Throughout his career, Gary embraced innovation and change. He went on to design building control systems as an application engineer, manage facilities technology for Principal Financial Group, and concluded his career as an IT programmer for Principal Residential Mortgage.

In 1978, Gary and Barb made Iowa their home, where they raised their three daughters: Kelly, Nicole, and Kristin. Family was always Gary's greatest priority. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who cherished every opportunity to spend time with those he loved. In 2022, Gary and Barb celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in Wisconsin, surrounded by their three daughters, three sons-in-law, and eight grandchildren.

Gary found joy in working on his computer, camping, boating, traveling (especially on cruises), attending Haberman family reunions, and taking Harley rides with Barb. He cherished the lifelong connections he maintained with his extended Michigan family. Gary will be remembered for his quiet strength, unwavering devotion to his family, kind heart, and the steady love he shared with everyone fortunate enough to know him. His legacy lives on in the family he cherished above all else.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife, Barb, who passed away in 2024 after her own courageous battle with cancer.

He is lovingly remembered by his daughters, Kelly (Tracy) Stewart, Nicole (Brian) Lunders, and Kristin (Joe) Larson; his grandchildren, Veronica Stewart, Felix Stewart, William Lunders, Zachary Lunders, Maxwell Lunders, Drake Larson, Abby Larson, and Maggie Larson; his siblings, Nina (Michael) Leider, Karen (Wayne) Florzack, Darlene (Bob) Zeier, and Roger (Mary) Griffin; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

Gary was also blessed to find companionship and happiness in the last year with his partner, Marsha Tschopp, with whom he shared love, laughter, and many cherished memories.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., with a Prayer Service at 6:30 p.m., on Sunday, July 5, 2026, at Hamilton's on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, Iowa. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, July 6, 2026, at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 1230 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, Iowa. The Mass will be livestreamed through St. Theresa Catholic Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Clive Community Services or St. Theresa Catholic Church in Gary's memory.

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