John P. Griffin

John Patrick Griffin was born August 5, 1960 in Vancouver, WA to Byrl, and Sharon Griffin.After Sharon's passing, John was raised by his Scoutmaster father, Byrl, and his stepmother,Evelyn - who was simply "Mom" to him. He grew up on Alki Road with his siblings Jerry,Laura, Donnella, and Lonnie. A proud "Westside kid," he attended Ben Franklin ElementarySchool, Shumway Junior High School, and Hudson's Bay High School - graduating in 1978. After high school, he worked at Riverside Golf and Country Club for a few years before decidingto finish his degree through night school at Portland State University in order to become ateacher and coach. That decision paved the way to change countless lives for decades to come. John - or "Griff" as everyone called him - hit his stride as a teacher. After two years in the smalltown of Huntington in Eastern Oregon - where he was runner-up for 1988 Oregon Small SchoolState Teacher of the Year - he returned to Vancouver as a teacher and coach at Mountain ViewHigh School. As head coach of the Mountain View Girls Basketball Team, he took the Thunderto the WIAA state tournament four times, including a runner-up finish in 1995. John was namedGreater St. Helens League Coach of the Year multiple times and coached the Washington teamthree consecutive years in the Northwest Shootout exhibition all-star game against Oregon. In addition to the success of the basketball court, Griffin led Mountain View's mock trial team totop finishes at state, taught AP U.S. History and Law and Justice, and ran a school-wide MockCongress that helped students learn about how our government works. Following his time at Mountain View, John was a successful administrator at Fort VancouverHigh School, Heritage High School, and King's Way Christian Schools. John always had a softspot for the underdog and set up successful mentorship programs, DYMS and BOWS, to helpyoung students succeed by pairing them with role models and offering needed guidance tonavigate the world. It's believed every student enrolled in these programs graduated from highschool. His last role as coach was as an assistant for the Camas High School Girls' Basketball team withsome of his closest friends, Scott Thompson and Mike Dillman. He capped his coaching careerby cutting down the nets in the Tacoma Dome when the Papermakers won the state title this pastSpring. In retirement, John kept a busy schedule through the Alki Road Mentoring program heestablished. Part of this work consisted of John giving history lessons at retirement homes. Thelessons proved to be quite a hit and the number of attendees at each lecture continued to grow. More than his professional success, he embraced his role as a family man. A husband fully inlove with his wife, Jan; a father who adored his children, Drew, Kayla, and Brig; and mostrecently - a doting 'Pappy' to his four grandchildren. Not one for boredom, every long car tripwith his kids presented an opportunity to play a full board of 'Jeopardy' in the car with theirDad making up the questions and playing Alex Trebek as they went. He was liable to break outat any given time with a rendition of his favorite hits - Three Dog Night's "Joy to the World,"Frank Sinatra's "Fly Me to the Moon," and Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" were favorites.With a work ethic that never stopped, every time he visited his kids or grandkids doubled as an opportunity for a home improvement project. An avid outdoorsman, his 'happy place' was sitting in a duck blind at sunrise with a friend orfamily member and a good hunting dog. He loved spending time at his property on the LittleKlickitat River, a location that served as the spot where he proposed to Jan and where he built acabin from the ground up. He often enjoyed kayaking, rafting, fishing, and deer hunting -anything to get outside with nature. John will be remembered for his warm and engaging personality. He was a force of nature in anyroom he entered. It wasn't unusual for him to end up engaged with deep conversations withcomplete strangers within minutes. His guidance and advice changed the lives of countlessstudents and players for the better. He was a true "Renaissance Man" who could seamlessly"shoot the breeze" about the best one-hit-wonder 1970s Classic Rock bands, how key WorldWar II battles were won, or what type of flowers would best complete a yard. He never stoppedtrying to learn more. John is survived by his wife of 26 years, Jan; his children, Drew Griffin (Ann) of Alexandria,VA, Kayla Torgerson (Erik) of Vancouver, and Brig Griffin of Washougal; his grandchildrenEve, Norah, Jack, and Grant; and his siblings Jerry, Donnella, and Lonnie. He is preceded indeath by his mother, Sharon; his father, Byrl; his stepmother, Evelyn; and his sister, Laura. A Celebration of Life will take place on September 28 at 1 pm in the Hudson's Bay High SchoolGymnasium. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the John Griffin Legacy ofExcellence Fund with the Fort Vancouver High School Boosters. The following link has been setup to help facilitate donations: my.cheddarup.com/c/the-john-griffin-legacy-of-excellence-fund

John P. Griffin

August 5, 1960 - August 31, 2024