Ronald Griffey, Sr.

Ronald Ray Griffey, Sr., 90, of Des Moines, Iowa, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday January 22, 2025. Ron was born on August 16, 1934, in Kokomo, Indiana to Darrell Griffey and Elsie Cunningham Griffey, and led a colorful life. Before turning 16, he modified his birth certificate to join the US Army. The change was discovered, and his father had to travel by bus to California to take him back to Indiana. He was able to enlist later and served in Korea during the late days of that war.

Ron moved his family back and forth between Des Moines, Iowa and Kokomo, Indiana before moving to Odessa, TX. While living in Odessa, he married Gracia Griffey, obtained his GED and studied to become a building inspector, an occupation he pursued the rest of his career where he retired as the Chief Building Inspector for the city of Odessa.

Ron was an active member of the VFW Post 4372 and American Legion Post 0430, both in Odessa.

Later he returned to Des Moines, IA where he spent the past many years. Ron attended Trinity Baptist Church, Ft. Des Moines Open Bible Church and most recently, Altoona Regular Baptist Church.

Ron is survived by children, Deb (Randy) Hoyt, Desiree (David) Burrows, Rhonda Schuling, and Ronald (Missy) Griffey, III; step-children, Bert (Kandy) Powers and Evonne Brown; sisters, Janice (Ralph) Kidder and Cecilia (Dennis) Wilhelm; brother, Michael George (Estrella) Griffey; sister-in-law, Carolyn Griffey; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren along with a host of other family and beloved friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Gracia Griffey; daughter, Sharon Streeter; step-son, Mike Powers; and son-in-law, Michael Schuling.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday March 8, 2025 at Altoona Regular Baptist Church, 803 3rd Ave SW, Altoona, IA 50009.

His cremains will be laid to rest at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Odessa, TX later this spring.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Wounded Warrior Project, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald House, or Altoona Regular Baptist Church.

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