Alvin Lee Griffis

Alvin Lee Griffis, 95, passed away peacefully at home in Rio Rancho, NM on March 14, 2021, surrounded by his Family. He was born in Cozad, Nebraska on September 13, 1925.

He is preceded in death by his Wife: Herminia R. Griffis of Ventura, CA, Parents: Ervidena & Myrton Griffis of Nebraska. Siblings: Alta, Alfred, Dorothea, Roland, Leona, Roger, June, Marie, and Lucille. Daughters: Suzi & Lucia, Sons: Robert & John.

He is survived by Daughters: Donna (John), Carmen (Kiko), Lea (Mark), Erica (Richard), Sons: Rocky, Mark, Joey, Jerry, Erik (Peter) including 23 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and 2 great great granddaughters.

After the passing of his young mother, Alvin Lee Griffis and his 4 oldest siblings were left in an orphanage in Holdrege, Nebraska, where Alvin remained until he was 17 yrs. old, at which time he signed up for the US Navy. He served in the Pacific Theatre during WWII, and he became part of the original Underwater Demolition Team (UDT) known as The Frogmen, which later became known as the Navy Seals Unit. He also served on Johnston Island and Midway, and during WWII, he served on the USS Hornet (CV-12) 1944-1946 & The USS Boxer (CV-21) Jan.14, 1948 - Jan 14, 1952. The USS Hornet was the first aircraft carrier he was on, after being on board approximately one month, he was blown out of a Gun Tub, resulting in him being in a full body cast for 9 months. After fully healing, Al requested to go back on board to his ship (The USS Hornet). During the Korean War, he served on The USS Philippine Sea (CVS-47) from January 15, 1952 to January 25, 1957 and retired off The USS General W. A. Mann (AP-112) November 9, 1962 to July 15, 1963. Alvin served in the Navy for a total of 21 years.

When Alvin retired from the Navy in 1963, he became a Federal Police Officer on the Port Hueneme Naval Base in California. Twelve years later, in August of 1974, Alvin, who was a single father of 1 daughter, met the love of his life, our mother, Herminia Rosas Morales, of Ventura, California, who was a single mother of 11 kids. The meeting of this man and woman would forever change their lives. They were both deeply praying and yearning to find each other, and find each other, they did! Herminia was a Buddhist, Alvin was a Christian, and they blended their lives, based on their faiths, so beautifully and in perfect harmony. They were married in Ventura, California, December of 1975.

In October of 1983 Alvin retired from the Port Hueneme Naval Base as a Lieutenant after 20 years of being a Federal Police Officer.

Alvin’s own personal experiences in life, including the death of his mother, the abandonment by his father, growing up in an orphanage, and his experiences in the Navy during two wars, were very significant in preparing him to live a life with our mother, who had been abandoned with 11 kids, and at the time of their meeting, 9 kids were still at home. His appearance into our mother’s life changed the direction our family was headed towards. Together, he and mom sailed the family ship towards love, hope, and joy. Alvin had a great love of nature and he shared that with our mother, who for the first time was able to manifest that deep part of herself together with him. All of her children and their families, along with his own daughter, Donna, and family, were also able to experience that love of nature with them, as the tradition of family reunions and camping were born at Lake Lopez in Arroyo Grande, CA and at Upper Oso, in the Santa Barbara mountains, respectively.

Our mother’s younger children were able to deeply experience the love, attention and devotion of a father, through Alvin; all of us were able to experience a man who was there for Herminia, as he honored and respected her above all else. As the family grew and grandchildren and great grandchildren appeared, they all had the great joy of experiencing and getting to know their grandpa and great grandpa. Every one of them valued the stories Grandpa Al had to tell and they will always treasure their special heart connection with their beloved elder.

Our mother passed away from cancer in January 1993, after 19 years of life with her soulmate. Alvin lived for 28 more years with our mother’s youngest daughter, Erica, who moved to New Mexico in 2005, and brought her dear father with her to the Land of Enchantment. Alvin continued to fulfill his promise to Herminia, to be there for her children! He was always very present for her children, their partners, his grandchildren, his great grandchildren and even 2 great great granddaughters, along with the countless family friends who had the ultimate pleasure of getting to meet and know him!

Alvin remained very active throughout his life even after Herminia’s passing.  He continued his love of camping, he would camp with family, sometimes alone, he had some good times camping with his son Kiko up until his late 80's. He also enjoyed driving across the country to visit his brother, Bud (Roland) in Missouri and other members of his family throughout various parts of the country. He appreciated the landscape and the natural beauty of his country that he served and loved.

Alvin Lee Griffis passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 14, at home in Rio Rancho, NM with his beloved daughter Erica and all of his family surrounding him, giving their love and acknowledgment of his service to all. Alvin will forever live deep in our hearts as the man who came to our mother, to be with her, to love her, and to protect her and all of her children.

He was a beautiful man and fine teacher, and through the depth of his profound and unconditional love, he became a legend. The greatest example to all of us, his memory will live forever in our hearts!

A Full Military Honor Memorial Service will be held on: Saturday May 8, 2021, at 3:00 pm

Rivera Family Funerals & Cremations 417 E Rodeo Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87505

505-989-7032