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Place of Rest

Grandview Memorial Park

620 South Cherry Road

Rock Hill, SC 29732

Charles F. Griffin

December 17, 1948 - November 17, 2021 (Age 72)

Rock Hill, SC – Mr. Charles Frederick Griffin, 73, left his earthly home, and went to his eternal home on Wednesday, November 17, 2021. He was known by most people as Fred or Freddy. Fred was born on December 17, 1948 in South Boston, VA to Chesley L. Griffin, Jr. and Louise Dockery Griffin.

Fred’s Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, November 22, 2021 at Northside Baptist Church, with Rev. Ronnie Aiton officiating. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Park – Cherry Road.

Fred’s parents moved the family to Rock Hill, SC in early 1958 when Fred was 9 years old. It was here that Fred professed his faith in Jesus and was baptized at Northside Baptist Church. Fred attended Rock Hill schools except for one year at Carolina Military Academy in Maxton, NC in 8th grade. He graduated from Rock Hill High School, Class of 1969. He met the love of his life, Karen Montgomery, also of Rock Hill, SC and they were united as one on December 18, 1970. In August 1975, two became three when they welcomed Kevin Eric Griffin into the world. Fred was a wonderful husband and father to Karen and Kevin and later a wonderful grandfather to his four grandchildren. Fred, an employee for 26 years, retired from the SC Highway Department in 1996, where he was known as Charles, after being involved in a disabling car accident at work secondary to his diabetic disease.

Besides his family, Fred had two other loves in his life…NASCAR and Clemson football. Fred’s love of racing started way back in South Boston, VA, where his home was close enough to the dirt track that he could hear the engines roar when the drivers showed up for practice before a race. It was told that Fred and Ronny, his brother, would hop on bikes and take off for the track to watch practice and meet the drivers. One driver, Rex White, put Fred in the passenger side on the floor and drove him around the track. After that, there was no looking back. Saturday or Sunday would find Fred at first by the radio, and later by the television watching lap after lap of the NASCAR races. He, Karen, Kevin, Ronny and Jan shared the love of NASCAR and attended many races with him.

Fred’s love of Clemson football often caused a loving rift in the family. Fred’s dad, his son, Kevin, and Fred were all Clemson fans. His wife Karen, his brother, Ron’s family,,along with his sister Jan, who attended USC were Carolina Gamecock fans. Football season were always lively times in the family with practical jokes, ribbing and often arguments on who had the best team. Christmas day always presented with team gifts and you could always hear fight songs reverberate the neighborhood as the gifts were opened. It was always a fun time in the family.

Fred also loved watching Kevin race BMX bikes or watching his band play at events. Fred was always proud of Kevin’s interest in music and taught him to play guitar growing up. Fred played trumpet in the RHHS Band of Distinction in the ‘60’s; guitar and sang in a band of friends in high school; and sang in the Cherry Road barbershop quintet in later years. Music was always an important part of his life.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 49 years, Karen Montgomery Griffin and his grandson, Zachary Eric Griffin.

Fred leaves behind his son, Kevin Griffin and grandchildren, Ashton, Alexis, and Austin Griffin; his brother, Ron (Eve) Griffin; his sister, Jan Griffin Bazen, all of Rock Hill. One niece, Dr. Michelle Archer (Rocky) of Chapin, SC; many cousins and former in-laws that loved Fred.

Much appreciation and love go out to the staff of Providence Care both Home Health division and Hospice division that gave such wonderful care and attention to Fred over the last two years. We want to thank all the friends and family that have stood with Fred throughout his life and his medical issues.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 pm-3:30 pm on Sunday, November 21, 2021 at Greene Funeral Home Northwest Chapel, 2133 Ebenezer Road, Rock Hill, SC.


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