Louis Devon Griffin

Louis Devon Griffin was born in Clarkston, Utah, to Aubrey Myler and Pearl Thompson Griffin on 16 May 1935 in a home that no longer exists. He weighed nine and a half pounds and was greeted by three older brothers: Glen, V.E., and Ellis. Louis would be followed by another brother, Glade, and a sister, Shirlene. His parents and three older brothers proceeded him in death.

When Louis was five years old, his family moved to Trenton, Utah, where he attended the same school until the eighth grade. As a young boy, his mother taught him how to make gravy (without lumps) and boil potatoes but because he was so small, he had to stand on a stool to cook everything. He enjoyed telling his boys about life on the farm, including how he used to thin sugar beets and pick beans when he was “ONLY” five years old.

He enjoyed running track in junior high and high school. Initially he chose the long jump. At North Cache High School, he lettered in track, where he ran the 100 and 220 yard dashes. He was also on a relay team that broke the school record.

Louis served in the East Central States Mission which included parts of Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee Kentucky, and West Virginia.

After returning from his mission, Louis stopped dating girls because he was tired of wasting money on them. Unbeknown to him, his friends were putting together a New Year’s Party, where they lined him up with the love of his life, Nancy Wadsworth. They were married in the Logan Temple on 3 February 1961.

They have three sons: DeVon (Michelle) Medina, Ohio, Roger (Rebecca), American Fork, Utah, and Daryl, North Logan, Utah.

He and Nancy are the proud grandparents of ten
grandchildren: Peter, Gregory, Elise, McKenzie, Hailey, Jacob, Benjamin, Ellie, Jonathan, and Rachel and four great grandchildren: Henry, Eleanor, Andrew, and Emilio.

Louis completed his bachelor’s degree at USU in 1964. He taught school for two years at Pleasant View Elementary School in North Ogden. The family then moved back to Logan where he began to work on his master’s degree and started working as the Assistant Director of the Student Union Bldg. He received his master’s degree in 1971, two days before Daryl was born. He then accepted an offer to work for Conference and Institute at USU. From there he transitioned to the Extension Department. He made considerable improvements in how non-traditional students could obtain a degree from USU when they were not able to attend in person. In 1989 he introduced the concept of long-distance education where professors at the Logan campus would teach virtually over the COM-NET system. Louis stretched his vision for long-distance education to include nations around the world. He presented invited lectures and demonstrations on his work in Montreal, Canada; Moscow, Russia; Oslo, Norway; and Beijing, China.

Louis was also a member of North Logan City’s planning commission for three years and the justice court judge for twenty-two years.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting, riding motorcycles and camping with his sons. He attended every extracurricular activity his sons were involved in. He was a dedicated Aggie football and basketball fan and taught his sons to be Aggies too. Louis was also a hard worker and avid gardener. He spent countless hours making sure his yard, garden, and fruit trees were meticulously maintained.

He loved the Savior Jesus Christ and His Church. He served as the Elders’ Quorum President in two different wards and was a counselor in the North Logan First Ward bishopric, Executive Secretary of the USU Student First Stake for five years, high counselor, and Bishop of the USU 25th YSA ward for four years.

He and Nancy served a mission for eighteen months in the Illinois Nauvoo Mission from February 2007 to August 2008, where he enjoyed working in the many historical sites. He also learned how to play the harmonica and guitar and sing and dance while a missionary. He also served as a temple worker in the Logan Utah Temple for thirteen years. Louis was a giant of a man who served whenever and wherever he was called.

We wish to thank Hospice for all their help and caring: Holly, Jason, Christine, Mike, and Robert. With their help we were able to keep our husband and father in his home where he wanted to be.

He was truly a great father, always teaching by example. He was a hard worker and always willing to help others. He was a loving and caring husband. We miss him but are glad that he is no longer suffering and know he is enjoying his reunion with family and friends.

If you would like to Zoom the proceedings, use the following link: https://zoom.us/j/93033430342