On October 15, 2024, cherished husband, father, and grandfather, Michael “Mike” William Griffith, passed away suddenly in his Eureka home.

Mike was born on July 12, 1948, to parents Rose and William “Bill” Griffith. A hard worker from the start, Mike helped his father build their family home while he was in elementary school. In high school, Mike worked at the Eureka Fishery where he met the love of his life, Barbara. Following graduation from Eureka High School, Mike joined the U.S. Navy. He and Barbara were married a year later. A proud veteran, Mike served 22 years in the Navy, attaining the rank of Master Chief before his retirement. Mike returned to Eureka and began working at Pinkerton, providing security at the pulp mill. A few years later he began working at the pulp mill and continued to do so until the mill closed.

Mike was well-known throughout Eureka for the nine-mile walks he took each morning. Leaving home before dawn, he made his way randomly throughout town, enjoying conversations and making friends along the way. His community mattered to him greatly. The most treasured part of Mike’s life was his family. We knew him to be proud and stubborn, loving and kind, loyal and devoted. He would do anything for us including solo deployments to Alameda and Texas during his time in the Navy so that his daughter would not have to move to yet another school. In his later years, Mike’s greatest joy came from the time he spent with his grandchildren.

Whether it was talking military history with Matthew or playing devil’s advocate so that he could argue with Maya, he lit up when they were around. He often remarked that being a teacher was the most honorable profession you could have, which is why it delighted him that both his daughter and granddaughter went on to do just that. Though he was strong-willed and opinionated at times, his loving nature toward his family and community are the traits we will remember the most. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents Rose and Bill, and is survived by his wife of 55 years, Barbara, his daughter Laura, son-in-law Raymond, and their children, Maya and Matthew. He is also survived by his sisters Pat and Katie and his brother, “Little Mike.”

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Mike Griffith’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.