Obituary of Daniel Thomas Griggs

Lexington SC—Daniel Thomas Griggs was born on Thursday February 13, 1919 on Memory Lane in Chesterfield, SC to Ben Thomas Griggs and Minnie Moore Griggs. Thomas was the last survivor of his family's generation. He finished his life's journey surrounded by his family on Wednesday, June 26, 2014. He was married to Avis Elizabeth Wilson Griggs for 62 years. Their children are Evelyn Elizabeth, Jerry Thomas, John David and Roger Allen Griggs. Their grandsons are Jerry Thomas Griggs, Jr., Mark Allen Griggs, Eric L. Farmer, Jr. and Edward Thomas Farmer. Thomas loved and was loved by too many to mention. The Griggs family genealogy is well documented on Ancestry.com. Thomas was diagnosed at age 17 with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). He worked for 26 ½ years for the Association of the Blind on Bull Street as their warehouse and shipping manager. He made Lions Club brooms, mops, mattresses and caned chairs. He repaired bicycles and anything else broken for neighbors, family and friends. He was challenged but not handicapped by blindness. He never stopped learning as he read thousands of Talking Books provided by the Library of Congress. His hobbies were fishing, hunting, target shooting, yard work, and flowers. He had a dry sense of humor and was quick witted and seldom missed an opportunity to illustrate a life lesson. He taught his children and grandchildren the value of hard work, education, and morality. He enjoyed listening to baseball games on the radio. Dad was a faithful listener of the 9:00 a.m. reading of the obituaries on the Commission for the Blind Radio before the service recently lost funding. He enjoyed reminiscing, telling stories and sharing jokes in the Old Irish tradition. Mr. Griggs' final years were spent with Palmetto Senior Care in Cayce and The Heritage at Lowman Home. The family is very grateful to these organizations for the extensive care provided to "this remarkable man" and the many kindnesses to his caregivers. Our churches, our clients, our coworkers and Personal Care Plus lightened our heavy load with listening ears and prayerful hearts. The family will receive family and friends Friday evening 6-8 p.m. at Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington, 4720 Augusta Road, Lexington, SC 29073 Phone 803-996-1023. They will also receive visitors one hour before the service on Saturday. The Celebration of Life service will begin at 11:00am Saturday, June 28, 2014 at Thompson Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel. Burial will be private.