Cecil J. Griffith Sr

Cecil J. Griffith Sr., 69, of Carson, passed away on Monday, Aug. 18, 2014, in Albuquerque. He was born July 4, 1945, in Counselor, to Charley and Lucy Griffith. He was born to Todich'iinii and was born for Naa kai dine'.
Cecil graduated from Phoenix Indian School in 1962. He worked many years as a pre-school teacher and as a bus driver for Pueblo Pintado and Counselor Early Childhood Development Program. He was a member of the Local 16 Union of Farmington for over 20 years. Cecil also worked as a ranch hand on the Otero Ranch for the Jicarilla Tribe. He enjoyed watching sports and being with his family.
Cecil was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Henry, Jimmie and Bobby. He is survived by his sons, Cecil J. Jr., Jay J., Zane and Jared; daughters, Evangeline Griffith, Florina Hanish, Laura Toledo, Samantha Griffith and Jorelle Griffith; brother Eddie Griffith; sisters, Annie White, Virginia Herrera, Elsie Griffith and Kathleen Griffith; 15 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
A visitation is from 2 to 4 p.m. today at Cope Memorial Chapel of Kirtland. A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23, also at Cope Memorial Chapel of Kirtland, with Wilkinson Sage officiating. Burial will follow service in the Counselor Mission Cemetery. Reception will be at the Counselor Chapter House.
Pallbearers are Cecil J. Griffith Jr., Jay J. Griffith, Eddie Griffith, Zane Griffith, Jared Griffith, Aaron Barnes, Chris Toledo, Larry Toledo and Anthony Griffith.