Griffin
Dick R. Griffin, 84, of Madill, Okla., passed away peacefully at his home in Hernando, Fla., surrounded by family on January 28, 2025.
Born on June 26, 1940, in Madill to Pud and Doris (Bean) Griffin, Dick—who also went by Dickie—grew up in Marshall County before embarking on a career as a land surveyor. His work took him across the United States, but in 1978, he settled in Rock Springs, Wyo., where he founded D.R. Griffin & Associates, a land surveying and engineering firm that continues to operate under his name today.
In 2000, after selling the company, Dick and his beloved wife of 67 years, Claudia (Shaw) Griffin, retired to Madill. In 2020, they relocated to Hernando, Fla., to be near their daughter, Tracy.
Dick was a lifelong land surveyor, spending much of his career in the oil and gas fields. One of his proudest achievements was his work in Alaska during the 1970s, where he played a key role in surveying for the construction of the famous Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Beyond his profession, Dick was an amateur historian, an avid fisherman and deeply proud of his Chickasaw heritage. He was a role model not only to his family but to many who knew him.
Dick and his wife, Claudia, shared a long life together, having four children while living in Oklahoma, New Mexico, Alaska, Wyoming and Florida; though Madill was always home where they remain members of the Oakview Baptist Church in Oakland. He was known as “Poppie” to his grandchildren.
Dick was preceded in death by his children, Stephanie, Robert and Stephen; and brother, Danny Griffin.
Dick is survived by his wife, Claudia; daughter, Tracy (Griffin) Edgmon of Hernando, Fla. who was blessed to be close to him in his final years; grandchildren, Cory Griffin of Dallas, Texas, Shannon Guffey of Rock Springs, Wyo., Colby Griffin of Rock Springs, Wyo., Robbie Edgmon of Orlando, Fla. and Jennifer Nelson of Sleepy Hollow, NY; great-grandchildren, Parker Nelson of Sleepy Hollow, NY, Ashlynn, Autumn, and Enslee Guffey of Rock Springs, Wyo.; and brother Brian Griffin of Gillette, Wyo.
The Griffin family has deep roots in Madill, Marshall County and Southern Oklahoma, and his passing is mourned by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends whose lives he touched.
A memorial service will be held on August 30, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the Oakview Baptist Church. A lunch will follow the service.
Dick’s legacy of hard work, dedication, and love will be cherished always. He will be deeply missed.